■ 
1 


< 


PRESENTED  TO  THE  LIBRARY 


OF 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINHRY 


BY 


JVIrs.   Ale*andep  Proudfit. 


f 


THE  LORD  OLJr  SHEPHERD: 


AN    EXPOSITION 


TWENTY-THIRD    PSALM 


REV.  .JOHN  Vl/EVENSON, 

PEBPHTCAL   CUBATB   OP   CUBY   and   GUNWALLOE,    COBS  WALL, 

&UTHOB  Of  "0EBJ8I  OH   IB  I  I 


N  EW-TORK  : 

BOARD     OF     PUBLICATION' 
OF  THE   REFORMED   PROTESTANT   DUTCH   CHURCH, 

SYNOD'S   K<)()\[S,   ''I    FUANKI.IN    STREET. 
1859. 


V 


CONTENTS. 

The  Titlb  and  Scope  of  the  Psalm 

THE    FOLD. 

The  Shepherd  ....  . 

No  W\>—  

Green  Pastures  .... 

Still  Waters        .        .  ... 

Rnrouira  the  Wandered  .... 

Pi  I  us   OF    RlQBTEOI  s\t:ss  .... 

The  SHADOW  Of  Death      ..... 

THE    BANQUET. 

The  'Iable  Prepared         ...  5-155 

The  Head  Anointed      ..... 


1 

■ 

1    . 

.        -4 -J 

J 

n 

T 

76 

3     . 

B9 

3     . 

.     105 

4     . 

133 

Hi!) 


The  Cip  Overflowing                f,  .180 

THE    CONCLUSION 

Goodness  and  Mercv                                              .         .  (!  |    ", 

I'llE    FIoUSE    OF    THE    LoRO                       .            ,            .  fj  2 1 9 


THE 


TITLE  AND  SCOPE  OF  THE  PSALM. 


1  "  .4  Psalm  of  David." 

Tins  title  informs  us  to  whose  pen,  under  Divine 
inspiration,  we  are  indebted  for  this  beautiful  and  in- 
structive Psalm.  We  canno*,  indeed,  in  every  in- 
stance, depend  on  the  authenticity  of  the  titles  pre- 
fixed to  the  Psalms.  No  doubt,  however,  has  been 
entertained  regarding  the  our  before  us;  and  the 
Twenty-third  Psalm  is  universally  allowed  to  be  the 
production  of  the  Son  of  Jesse.  But  in  regard  to  the 
time,  and  the  occasion,  of  its  composition,  no  authentic 
information  has  come  down  to  us.  Various  conjec- 
tures have  been  formed  on  these  two  points,  but 
nothing-  definite  can  be  now  concluded  concerning 
them.  That  we  possess  the  Psalm  itself  is  a  matter 
•  >t'  high  congratulation.  Neither  the  precise  time, 
nor  the  particular  occasion,  on  which  it  was  composed, 
are  necessary  to  be  known  in  order  to  our  spiritual  en- 
joyment of  its  contenta 

The  Twenty-third  Psalm  commends  itself  to  the 
heart  of  the  believer  by  its  own  internal  excellence. 
Natural  in  its  structure,  simple  and  perspicuous  in  its 
language,  and  elegant  and  attractive  in  its  imagery, 
it  breathes  forth  sentiments  of  cor  fidence  towards  God, 

1* 


Tl  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

of  gratitude  and  of  joy.  There  is  a  depth  of  mean- 
ing in  every  sentence — a  rich  variety  of  experience 
in  every  verse — and  a  fulness  of  joy  from  its  com- 
mencement to  its  conclusion,  which  comprehends 
all  that  is  needed  in  life  and  in  death,  in  time 
and  throughout  eternity.  The  memoirs  of  departed 
Christians  amply  testify  to  this  fact.  How  often  has 
the  Twenty-third  Psalm  been  cited  by  the  dying 
believer  as  a  most  appropriate  expression  of  his  past 
experience,  his  present  feelings,  and  his  future  hopes  ! 
To  multitudes  of  the  faithful,  this  Psalm  has  doubt- 
less proved  a  rich  source  of  consolation,  in  every  age 
since  it  was  composed  by  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel. 

Though  unable,  it  may  be,  to  appropriate  every 
high,  and  undoubting,  declaration  of  confidence  in 
God,  which  this  Psalm  contains,  who  does  not  feel 
that  they  are  all  exactly  such  as  he  desires  to  be  able 
to  adopt  in  the  progress  of  life,  and  at  the  period  of 
death  ?  To  have  Jehovah  for  a  Shepherd — to  feel  no 
want — to  enjoy  rest  and  peace,  restoration  and  gui- 
dance— and  to  fear  no  evil  in  the  last  hour  of  nature's 
extremity — to  be  the  guest  of  God,  to  have  a  table 
provided —  honour  conferred  — abundance  supplied — 
goodness  and  mercy  following  us  through  life — and 
the  house  of  the  Lord  as  our  dwelling-place  for  ever, 
are  blessings  so  transcendent  and  desirable,  that  as 
we  read  this  Psalm,  we  almost  instinctively  turn  it 
into  a  prayer,  "  Lord,  be  thou  my  Shepherd.  Suffer 
me  never  to  want.  Make  me  to  lie  down  in  green 
pastures.  Lead  me  beside  still  waters.  Restore  my 
soul.  Conduct  me  in  paths  of  righteousness  foi 
thy  name's  sake.  And  when  I  walk  through  the  val- 
ley of  the  shadow  of  death,  let  me  fear  no  evil  foi 
then,  O  then,  be  thou  with  me,  thy  rod  and  thy  staff 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM  VU 

let  them  comfort  me.  Prepare  a  table  before  me  in 
the  presence  of  mine  enemies.  Anoint  my  head  with 
oil ;  and  make  my  cup  run  over.  Oh  that  goodness 
and  mercy  may  surely  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my 
life ;  and  that  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord 
for  ever !" 

Indeed,  it  is  rather  as  a  prayer,  than  as  a  song  of 
thanksgiving,  that  this  Psalm,  which  yet  itself  con- 
tains no  prayer,  is  used  by  many  Christians.  They 
feel  that  it  expresses  rather  what  they  wish  to  be, 
than  what  they  really  are.  They  cherish  the  hope 
that  ere  they  die,  they  shall  one  day  participate  in 
the  elevated  experience  of  the  Psalmist.  Yet,  per- 
haps, they  make  no  vigorous,  habitual,  and  determined, 
efforts  to  attain  that  strength  of  faith,  that  beauty  of 
holiness,  and  thai  joyfulness  of  spirit,  which  arc  here 
exhibited.  They  do  not  feel  so  grieved  and  self-con- 
demned as  they  ought,  for  living  below  their  privileges  ! 
This  is  a  serious,  and  we  fear  a  common,  error.  .Men 
too  easily  persuade  themselves  that  however  indispen- 
sable progressive  improvement  and  prosperity  may  be 
in  business  and  in  science  they  are  not  bo  necessary 
in  religion.  They  forget  that  from  the  moment  of 
our  spiritual  birth,  there  most  be  a  continual  growth. 
That  as  in  the  corn,  there  is  first  the  blade,  then  the 
ear,  and  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear:  so  in  the  fam- 
ily of  Christ,  there  are  "babes,"  and  "young  men.'' 
and  "  fathers."  A  babe  that  never  grows— -a  youth 
who  advances  not  towards  the  maturity  of  manhood, 
is  a  monster  in  nature.  It  has  been  well  remarked 
that  there  is  no  standing  still  in  the  school  of  <  !hrisL 
Our  constanl  prayer  ought  therefore  to  be.  that  as  we 
become  older  with  every  advancing  moment,  we  may 
also  become,  richer  and  riper  in  ever]   heavenly  grace. 


Vlll  THE    TITLE    OF    THE     "SALM. 

Are  we  not  commanded  to  "  go  on  unto  perfection  ?" 
Heb.  vi.  1.  Does  not  the  Apostle  desire  that  "  every 
one  of  us  do  show  the  same  diligence  to  the  full  as- 
surance of  hope  unto  the  end  ?"  Is  it  not  solemnly 
enjoined  upon  all  believers  to  "  grow  in  grace,  and 
in  the  knowledge  of  their  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ?"  2  Pet.  iii.  18.  Who  would  not  wish,  and 
earnestly  wish,  to  become  more  pure  from  sin,  more 
free  from  doubts,  more  holy  in  every  thought,  more 
hke  to  the  image  of  his  Lord,  and  more  conscious  of 
union  and  communion  with  the  God  of  his  salvation? 
There  are  however  many  sincere,  but  anxious  and 
desponding,  Christians,  who  hesitate  to  adopt  the 
cheerful  language  of  this  Psalm.  They  are  so  de- 
pressed by  the  burden  of  their  unworthiness  that  they 
are  each  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Such  expressions  of  con- 
fidence and  joy  I  can  never  use  !  I  read  them  as  the 
happy  experience  of  a  saint  of  God,  but  I  dare  not 
reckon  myself  amongst  the  number  of  those,  who 
are  privileged  to  appropriate  such  blessings  to  them- 
selves !"  Such  persons  we  would  affectionately  seek 
to  encourage  by  a  few  prefatory  words,  ere  they  enter 
on  the  perusal  of  this  Psalm.  We  would  earnestly 
desire  to  be  instrumental  in  the  hand  of  the  all-gra- 
cious Spirit  to  gladden  the  "  hearts  of  the  righteous 
whom  the  Lord  would  not  make  sad/'  Ezek.  xiii.  22. 
We  would  seek  to  enable  them  to  rise  from  one  degree 
of  faith  and  hope,  of  love  and  joy,  to  another,  till  they 
can  join  with  the  Psalmist  in  their  inmost  hearts,  and 
use  his  "spiritual  song"  as  a  delightful  expression  of 
their  own  individual  experience.  And  in  regard  to  that 
sense  of  their  own  unworthiness  which  hinders  their 
confidence  in  God,  we  would  entreat  them  to  keep 
ever  clearly  in  view  the  distinct  and  peculiai  offices 


Tin:    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM.  u 

of  the  law  and  the  gospel.  The  Law  shows  us  that 
we  possess  no  righteousness  in  which  to  stand  before 
the  Most  High.  The  Gospel  informs  us  that  the 
righteousness  of  another  is  provided  for  us ;  and  that 
this  righteousness  is  the  only  and  tin;  all-sufficient 
ground  on  which  to  obtain  acceptance  with  God  now, 
and  admission  to  heaven  hereafter.  Many  who  are 
uol  wholly  ignorant  of  this  distinction,  live  under  the 
feeling  that  as  the  law  has  convinced  them  that  they 
arc  sinners,  and  have  no  righteousness  of  their  own 
to  trust  in,  they  ought  not  at  once  to  obey  tin-  Gospel 
call,  to  trust  in  God  himself.  They  do  not  clearly 
perceive  that  the  Gospel  commands  them  to  possess 
confidence,  because  it  has  supplied  them  with  a  new 
and  all-sufficient  basis. 

Were  we  required  of  God  to  rejoice  in  our  own 
righteousness: — to  he  strong  in  our  own  Btrength: 
or  to  place  confidence  in  our  own  wisd it  would  in- 
deed In-  right  and  reasonable  to  reply  thai  we  possess 
neither  strength  nor  righteousness,  and  therefore  that 
we  cannot  possihly  rejoice.  In  tin-  case  to  doubt 
would  he  our  duty:  and  to  be  full  of  fear  and  of  unbe- 
lief could  incur  no  guilt  To  a  command  Baying, 
"Trust  in  yourself"  our  reply  would  be  natural  and 
correct.  "I  am  so  sinful  and  unworthy  I  cannot  trust 
in  myself."'  The  command  of  God  however  is,  "Trust 
not  in  yourselves;  ye  are  sinners  and  unworthy,  but 
trust  in  Me.*1  Throughout  the  whole  compass  of  the 
Scriptures,  we  are  not.  in  one  single  instance,  required 
to  rejoice  in  ourselves,  but  the  exhortations  to  rejoice 
in  the  Lord  are  numerous  and  oft  repeated,  "  Rejoice 
m  the  Lord  always;  and  again  1  Bay,  Rej< 
Phil.  iv.  1. 
The  desponding  christian  sadly  mistakes  when  he 


X  THE    TITLE    OF   THE    PSALM. 

allows  that  sense  of  unworthiness,  which  justly  hinders 
him  from  trusting  in  himself,  to  deprive  him  also  of 
confidence  in  his  God.  The  very  glory  of  the  gospel 
is  this,  that  it  has  made  a  special  provision  for  the 
unworthiness  of  man.  It  brings  from  heaven  to  guilty 
men,  a  message  of  love  and  of  reconciliation.  It  says 
to  them,  "  Though  you  are'  sinful  and  unworthy,  yet 
God  desires  and  commands  you  to  trust  in  him  !" 
Did  the  message  stop  triers  did  it  utter  nothing  but 
the  bare  command,  "  Trust  in  me,"  we  should  feel  that 
we  were  utterly  unable  to  comply,  until  it  also  ex- 
hibited something  in  the  character  of  God  on  which 
we  could  fix  our  trust.  Should  a  king,  for  instance, 
say  to  the  rebel  whom  he  had  apprehended,  "  Trust  in 
me,"  the  mere  word  of  command  could  not  excite  that 
sentiment  in  his  breast.  But  if  the  king  should 
accompany  these  words  with  special  tokens  of  his  love 
and  favour,  would  not  the  rebel  feel  that  he  could  no 
longer  disobey  ?  Would  he  not  now  regard  it  as  his 
privilege  and  his  delight  to  place  the  fullest  confidence 
in  such  a  gracious  sovereign !  The  injunction,  "  Trust 
in  me,"  instead  of  wearing  the  aspect  of  a  stern  and 
rigid  demand,  would  appear  in  the  light  of  an  an- 
nouncement of  mercy — of  a  declaration  of  pardon  and 
forgiveness — and  of  a  gracious  proposition  from  his 
sovereign,  that  henceforth,  instead  of  enmity  and 
rebellion,  there  should  be"  a  covenant  of  love  and 
of  allegiance  subsisting  between  them  ! 

Such  is  the  nature  of  the  gospel  demand.  This 
Sovereign  is  God.  The  apprehended  rebel  is  man. 
This  gracious  Sovereign  has  not  only  said  "  Trust  in 
me,"  but  he  has  also  given  us  abundant  cause  to  do  so. 
"  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begot- 
ten   Son,    that    whosoever   belie veth    in    him    should 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM.  xi 

not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life,*'  John  iii.  16, 
The  death  of  the  Son  of  God,  under  that  curse  which 
we  had  merited,  proves  beyond  all  doubt  that  we 
ought  to  repose  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  love  and 
the  goodness  of  our  heavenly  King.  The  strongest 
conviction  which  we  may  entertain  of  our  own  un- 
worthiness, can  never  equal  that  knowledge  of  it 
which  is  possessed  by  God.  When  therefore  in  Christ 
Jesus,  he  calls  upon  us  to  exercise  confidence  towards 
him,  why  should  we  make  our  own  more  limited 
sense  of  that  unworthiness  the  ground  of  our  distrust  .' 
Does  not  the  gospel  declare  that  Cod  has  laid  all  our 
unworthiness  on  the  head  of  his  own  Son.  and  thai 
he  has  received  from  him  instead  thereof,  a  pure  and 
perfect  righteousness?  The  goodness  of  God,  there- 
fore, his  clemency  as  a  Sovereign  towards  a  rebel,  are 
beyond  dispute  :  and  while  we  are  taught  that  our 
unworthiness  has  by  no  means  been  palliated  or  con- 
cealed, because  it  has  been  exacted  of  oui  Redeemer, 
we  learn  from  the  fact  of  this  Surety  being  God's  own 
Son,  that  the  fullest  love  and  the  most  unlimited  con- 
fidence are  due  to  the  Most  High. 

The  Holy  Bible,  which  commands  u<  to  trust  in 
God,  has  thus  revealed  at  the  same  time  his  Dame 
and  character.  But  for  this  revelation,  we  could  not 
obey  that  command.  Knowledge  of  the  nature  and 
the  disposition  of  another,  and  of  his  good-w  ill  towards 
US,  is  absolutely  necessary  to  our  po—e^sim;-  confidence 
in  hint.  Therefore  the  Scripture  declares  thai  in  the 
knowledge  of  God  standeth  our  "eternal  life,"  John 
xvii.  3.  And  it  also  ascribes  our  deliverance  from  the 
corruption  of  our  natural  state,  to  the  power  of  this 
knowledge:  ••  they  have  escaped  the  pollutions  of  the 
world  through  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Savioui 


XU  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

Jesus  Christ,"  2  Pet.  ii.  20.  This  implies  not  mere 
historical  knowledge,  but  a  scriptural,  spiritual,  sanc- 
tifying and  saving  apprehension  of  God  as  revealed  in 
Christ,  and  of  the  Redeemer  in  his  person,  in  his  work, 
and  in  his  offices.  To  know  God  in  Christ  is  life  to 
the  soul.  The  Scripture  says,  "  Acquaint  now  thy- 
self with  him,  and  be  at  peace:  thereby  good  shall 
come  unto  thee,"  Job  xxii.  21.  The  great  and  glori 
ous  Being  who  is  invisible  to  sinful  mortals,  has  con- 
descended to  reveal  himself  to  them  as  a  God  of  mercy 
and  of  love.  To  make  himself  more  clearly  known 
by  his  creatures,  he  has  graciously  come  down  to  their 
earthly  apprehension.  As  a  parent  in  communicating 
instruction  to  his  child,  must  adapt  himself  to  his 
youthful  capacity,  so  the  paternal  kindness  of  God  has 
adapted  the  instructions  of  eternal  truth  to  our  finite 
understanding.  Sensible  images  are  employed  to  rep- 
resent to  us  spiritual  qualities.  The  distant  and  un- 
known realities  of  heaven,  are  brought  near  to  our 
apprehension  by  the  illustrative  power  of  familiar  ob- 
jects. We  are  charmed  by  the  discovery  of  resem- 
blance between  the  earthly  type  and  the  heavenly 
substance.  Our  attention  is  arrested  by  the  figurative 
language  employed,  and  thus  the  doctrine  inculcated 
is  more  indelibly  imprinted  on  our  memory. 

How  beautiful,  for  instance,  is  the  pastoral  scene 
which  the  first  portion  of  tins  Psalm  depicts  !  The 
eye  seems  to  rest  upon  a  fertile  vale  which  opens  to 
our  view.  On  one  side  of  it  the  verdant  mounds  and 
swelling  hills  rise  toward  (he  distant  mountains.  On 
the  other  side  there,  gently  Hows  a  pleasant  stream, 
»\ith  its  silvery  waters  glistening  in  the  sun.  In  the 
midst,  on  the  plain,  is  the  Shepherd  with  his  flock  ! 
Some  of  the  sheen  are  browsing  at  his  feet     Some 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM.  Mil 

are  reclining  in  the  abundant  pasture.  Others  are 
enjoying  the  refreshing  waters  !  And  ever  and  anon 
the  watchful  eye  of  the  Shepherd  surveys  them  all! 
Oh  peaceful  and  happy  scene  !  Fairest  and  most  in- 
viting of  this  world's  pictures!  Well  may  it  he  a|>- 
plied  by  the  pen  of  inspiration  to  portray  alike  the 
kindness  and  the  care  of  God  towards  man,  and  the 
safety  and  the  happiness  of  man  when  in  a  state  of 
dependence  upon  his  God!  It  furnishes  a  most  in- 
structive emblem.  As  the  shepherd  is  to  his  flock,  bo 
is  God  to  his  people:  and  such  as  the  sheep  are  to 
their  shepherd,  bo  are  the  believers  to  their  Lord  ! 

Did  the  hook  of  inspiration  speak  (A'  the  Most  High, 
only  according  to  the  pure  spirituality  of  hi<  nature, 
it  would  be  a  volume  of  abstract  terms  and  ideas, 
above  the  reach  of  our  present  limited  faculties.  But 
the  heart  of  the  invisible  God  was  filled  with  affection 
towards  his  fallen  human  family.  He  knew  that  our, 
natural  eye  could  not  Bee  him,  and  that  our  outward 
ear  could  not  hear  him,  as  he  is  in  himself;  therefore 
he  took  our  nature  that  men  might  see.  be  spake 
word-  that  men  might  hear,  how  his  heart  yearned 
towards  them.  So  real,  so  ardent  is  the  love  of  God, 
that  he  employs  every  term  of  affection  which  human 
language  contains,  ever)  title  of  relationship  which 
human  society  furnishes,  and  every  office  of  kindness 
which  human  friendship  supplies,  in  order  to  express 
it-  fulness  to  our  minds,  and  to  impress  its  truth  upon 
our  hearts.  Yea,  all  animate  and  inanimate  tilings 
are  held  up  before  us  as  mirror-  to  reflect  the  image 
of  love.  Prom  the  eagle  that  Btirreth  up  her  nest, 
and  beareth  her  young  upon  her  wings,  to  the  domes- 
tic fowl  that  gathers  her  brood  beneath  them,  no  figure 
is  too  simple,  no  illustratitn  is  too  familiar,  for  the  pen 
■> 


XIV  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

of  inspiration  to  employ.  As  is  the  husband  to  the 
wife,  and  the  parent  to  the  child ;  as  is  the  head  to 
the  body,  and  the  king  to  his  people ;  as  is  the  physi- 
cian to  his  patient,  and  the  advocate  to  his  client,  so 
is  God  in  Christ  to  the  soul  of  man. 

The  Scriptures  teach  us  to  regard  God  not  only  as 
an  almighty  Creator,  and  an  unerring  Judge,  but  also 
as  a  Preserver,  and  a  Benefactor,  as  a  Friend,  and  as 
a  Father.  Numerous  are  the  names,  and  various  are 
the  emblems,  employed  to  enlighten  our  minds,  and 
to  enlarge  our  conceptions,  to  engage  our  affections, 
and  to  increase  our  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  lie  is 
called  the  First  and  the  Last, — the  Author  and  the 
Finisher  of  the  faith, — the  Heir  of  all  things,  and  the 
Father  of  the  everlasting  age.  He  is  spoken  of  as  a 
Way  and  as  a  Door, — as  a  Refuge  and  as  a  Fountain, 
■ — as  a  Lion  and  as  a  Lamb, — as  the  Bread  of  life, — 
and  as  the  Head  of  his  church. — He  is  likened  to 
a  Rock  and  a  Stone  of  strength, — to  a  Tried  Stone,  a 
precious  Corner  Stone,  and  a  Sure  Foundation.  He  is 
exhibited  as  a  Tree  of  Life, — as  the  Root  and  the 
Offset  of  David, — as  a  Righteous  Branch,  as  the  True 
Vine,  and  the  Rose  of  Sharon.  He  is  represented  as  a 
Star  out  of  Jacob — as  the  Dayspring  from  on  high — 
as  the  Bright  and  Morning  Star — and  as  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness — the  Light  of  the  world.  In  the  offices 
which  he  discharges  for  our  salvation,  he  is  describe..! 
as  a  Servant,  as  a  Messenger,  and  as  a  Faithful 
Witness: — as  a  Shepherd,  a  Physician,  a  Friend,  a 
Brother,  a  Bridegroom,  a  Husband: — as  an  Apostle,  a 
Priest,  a  Bishop,  a  Mediator,  an  Advocate,  a  Coun- 
sellor, a  Surely,  a  Redeemer,  and  a  Saviour : — as  a 
Captain,  a  Commander,  a  Lawgiver,  a  Governor,  a 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM.  XV 

Lad,  a  Prince  a    Potentate,  a   King,  the  Kirg  of 

kings,  and  the  Lord  "l  Lords  ! 

What  a  delightful   concentration  of   names  and 
attributes,  of  qualities,  properties,  and  relationships  ! 

\\  h.it  ;i  transcendent  combination  of  excellence  !  The 
contemplation  of  it  is  surely  well  fitted,  as  no  doubt  it 
is  wisely  designed,  to  exhibit  to  us  the  all-sufficiency 
of  the  Saviour;  and  to  call  forth  our  gratitude  and 
praises  for  his  amazing  and  perfeel  suitableness  to  our 
condition,  as  weak  and  unworthy,  as  lost  and  needy, 
as  sinful  and  defenceless.  Tor  were  it  not  previous!} 
true,  that  Jehovah  had  placed  himself  in  a  near  and 
gracious  relationship  to  fallen  man,  these  names  and 
titles,  these  types  and  figures  would  be  delusive  and 
destructive  to  our  souls.  But  now  in  <  Ihrist  Jesus  the 
in\  isible  ( !od  i-  truly  ami  fully  revealed  as  entertaining 

'•  good  w  ill  towards  men.'" 

Yet  numerous,  varied,  ami  significant,  as  are  these 

names  and  titles,  these  figures  and  emblems,  they 
cannot  sufficiently  express  the  fulness,  ami  represent 
the  excellency,  of  our  God  and  Saviour,  [ncrease 
their  number  as  you  may.  Multiply  them  without 
end.  Lei  imagination  employ  her  loftiest  conceptions, 
and  clothe  them  in  her  fairest  colouring,  the  reality  fai 

exceeds  them  all.  The  fulness  of  JesUS  i<  Unsea  relia- 
ble !  The  love  of  our  Emmanuel  is  unutterable! 
The  length,  the  height,  the  depth,  and  the  breadth 
thereof,  passeth  knowledge.  The  inspired  writers  find 
no  v,  ords  adequate  to  ex  pre--  it.  ••  1  [ow  precious  also 
are  thy  thoughts  unto  me,  O  God!  how   great  is  the 

sum  of  them  !  If  I  should  count  them  they  are  more 
in  number  than  the  sand  !"'      Psa.  exxxix.   17. 

The  blessed  revelation  which   the  gospel   has   made 

of  the  unsearchable  Jehovah,  is  well  fitted  to  impart  to 


XVI  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

every  one  who  believes  if,  a  u  joy  unspeakable  and  lull 
of  glory."  Such,  indeed,  is  its  effect,  in  proportion  to 
our  faith  in  its  veracity.  And  the  more  we  set  our- 
selves to  contemplate  the  glorious  and  gracious  Being 
thus  made  known  to  us,  the  stronger  will  our  trust  in 
him  become,  and  consequently  the  more  full  and  per- 
manent our  joy.  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with 
marrow  and  fatness  t  and  my  mouth  shall  praise  thee 
with  joyful  lips.  When  I  remember  thee  upon  my 
bed,  and  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night  watches,"'  Psa. 
lxiii.  5,  6.  "  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart, 
more  than  in  the  time  that  their  corn  and  their  wine 
increased,"  Psa.  iv.  7. 

Such  appears  to  have  been  the  holy  joy  with  which 
David  entered  on  the  composition  of  this  Twenty 
third  Psalm.  The  benevolence  of  the  character  of 
God,  and  the  excellence  of  his  kindnesses,  absorbed  his 
thoughts.  He  gloried  in  the  freeness  and  the  fulness 
of  Divine  grace.  He  rejoiced  so  exceedingly  at  the 
fact  of  the  Most  High  condescending  to  place  himself 
in  friendly  relationship  towards  him,  that  his  inward 
emotions  could  only  find  utterance  in  the  language  of 
imagery.  He  breaks  forth  abruptly  with  this  beauti- 
ful simile.  "  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd  !"  In  four 
verses  he  emphatically  declares  what  this  Shepherd 
did  for  his  safety  and  his  happiness;  then  suddenly 
introduces  another  image,  that  he  may  without  pro- 
lixity expatiate  upon  the  Fame  blessed  theme.  He 
represents  his  1  <ord  not  only  as  a  tender  Shepherd,  who 
feeds  hi-;  flock  in  the  richest  pastures,  but  also  as  a 
princely  Host,  who  entertains  his  guests  with  the  most 
generous  hospitality,  and  spreads  his  banquet  after  a 
royal  manner! 

These    beautiful    and    appropriate    metaphors,    by 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    I'sAL.M.  \\ii 

which  David  designs  to  describe  his  spiritual  expert* 
ences,  were  suggested  to  his  mind,  we  humbly  con- 
ceive, by  his  own  temporal  circumstances.  He  had 
been  a  shepherd,  and  his  early  life  had  been  spent  on 
the  plains  of  Bethlehem  amidst  his  father's  flocks. 
He  had  been  suddenly  exalted  t<>  honour.  A  name 
and  a  place  had  been  given  him  al  the  court  of  his 
sovereign.  He  was  openly  acknowledged  to  be  the 
conqueror  of  the  Philistines — the  champion  of  Israel — 
and  the  deliverer  of  his  country.  As  such  he  became 
an  associate  of  nobles— an  affianced  member  <>f  the 
royal  familj  -and  an  honoured  guest  at  the  king's 
tahlc !  What  a  remarkable  transition!  The  once 
unnoticed  youth  of  a  rural  village  became  a  dis- 
tinguished ornament  of  a  royal  court!  The  humble 
shepherd  was  transformed  into  a  renowned  and  valiant 
warrior!  And  In-  who  li.nl  tended  a  I'm  Bheep  in  the 
wilderness,  was  himself  attended  as  a  Prince,  and 
seated  al  a  banquet  which  had  hern  royally  prepared 
before  him  ! 

To  a  devout  mind  like  that  of  David,  such  circum- 
stances as  these  could  not  fail  to  BUggesI  suitable 
reflections.  And  we  have  often  wondered  why, 
amongst  other  special  occasions,  this  most  remarkable 
period  of  his  life  was  not  celebrated  by  an  appropriate 
Psalm.  May  not  the  me  before  us  he  considered  in 
this  light  /  We  humbly  conceive  it  may.  The  idea 
forces  itself  upon  the  mind,  the  more  we  investigate 
the  Psalm.  The  joyous  and  Banguine  sentiments  it 
contains,  together  with  the  nature  of  the  images  em 
ployed, and  especially  this  remarkable  transition  from 
the  figure  of  a  fold  to  that  of  a  banquet,  have  led  us  to 
conclude  that  this  Psalra  was  written  at  this  transition 

period  of  his    life;    an.     with    this    reference    we    have 


XV111  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

ventured  to  expound  its  different  verses.  The  princi- 
pal part  of  his  life  had  been  connected  with  the  sheep- 
fold  ;  and  the  greater  portion  of  this  Psalm  is  occupied 
with  the  beautiful  and  descriptive  image  which  it 
naturally  suggested  to  his  mind.  He  had  now  just 
entered  on  the  enjoyment  of  princely  entertainments, 
and  honour,  and  prosperity ;  and  to  these  also  he 
alludes,  under  the  figure  of  his  honourable  reception 
at  a  banquet.  And  as  his  youthful  and  ardent  mind 
would  now  be  filled  with  joyful  expectations  for  the 
future ;  so  we  find  that  the  last  sentiments  which  he 
records  are  of  the  most  sanguine  and  glowing  descrip- 
tion :  "  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all 
the  days  of  my  life,  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  for  ever." 

Thus  by  two  most  striking  figures,  the  Psalmist 
exhibits  the  blessedness  he  enjoyed  in  believing 
what  God  had  become  towards  him,  and  had  accom- 
plished on  his  behalf.  Truly  it  is  an  act  of  great  con- 
descension on  the  part  of  the  Most  High  to  allow  him- 
self and  his  ways  of  dealing  with  sinful  men  to  be  de- 
scribed under  these  earthly  terms  and  emblems.  He 
must  first  vouchsafe  to  place  himself  in  these  relation- 
ships of  a  Shepherd  and  a  Host  towards  us,  ere  we 
can,  without  presumption,  address  him  by  these  titles. 
vVnd  it  is  just  because  he  has  already  so  united  him- 
self to  our  souls,  that  lie  invites  and  expects,  nay, 
also,  that  he  exhorts  and  commands  us  to  love,  and 
to  confide  in  him  as  our  Shepherd  and  our  Host  ! 

The  strong  expressions  then  of  confidence  in  God 
which  the  first  part  of  this  Psalm  contains,  are  based 
on  the  revelation  which  God  had  been  pleased  to 
make  of  himself  in  the  character  and  capacity  of  a 
Shepherd  !     The  reade  's  attention  should  be  firmly 


Tllfi    TITLS    OF    THE    PSALM.  XIX 

fixed  oa  1 1 1 ir>  lact  It.  was  CJod  who  made  himself 
David's  Shepherd,  and  not  David  who  procured  this 
honour  for  himself.  And  though  he  proceed-  to  give 
utterance  to  some  of  the  Btrongesl  expressions,  the 
most  unwavering  declarations,  and  the  highest  and 
most  exalted  sentiments,  of  confidence  in  God  which 
lii"  Bible  contains;  yet  a  strict  examination  proves 
them  to  be  simple,  natural,  and  necessary,  deductions 
from  the  primary  statement,  "The  Lord  is  my  Sli«|>- 
herd."  Almost  the  entire  Psalm  may  be  s;iid  t<>  be 
comprehended  in  this  first,  sentence.  If  the  Lord  be 
our  Shepherd,  it  follows  that  we  shall  not  want,  that 
we  shall  he  preserved  from  danger,  restored  from 
wanderings,  conducted  in  righl  paths,  and  comforted 

against  all  fear  of  evil   in  the  valley  of  the  Bhadow  of 

death  !  It  is  like  the  child  of  a  wealthy  and  power- 
ful monarch  exclaiming,  •■The  sovereign  i-  my  fa- 
ther!" and  who  then  adds,  "1  shall  he  suitably  pro- 
vided for — servants  shall  attend  me — counsellors  shall 
direct — and  armies  shall  defend!"  These  an-  deduc- 
tions from  his  fust  statement.  They  are  hut  enlarge- 
ments  of  that  which  is  contained  in  the  two  names, 
Father  and  King.  In  like  manner  these  two  titles 
Lord  and  Shepherd,  include  in  them  all  that  the 
Psalmist  here  expresses.  To  say  that  \\e  possess  an 
Almighty  Shepherd,  is  to  affirm  that  we  shall  have 
all   things   that    we    require.      For  what    Shepherd   is 

he  who  sutlers  his  flock  to  hunger  !  Is  he  worthy  of 
the  name,  who  leaves  hi-  sheep  exposed  to  the  rav 
ages  of  the  wolf? 

How  many  are  there  who  desire  to  say  with  t he- 
Psalmist,  "I  shall  not  want!  1  shall  fear  no  evil!" 
This,  however,  they  can  uever  attain,  till  they  have 
previously  Learned  to  say  with  him,  "The  Lord  is  my 


XX  THE    TITLE    OF    THS    PSALM. 

Shepherd."  To  obtain  a  satisfactory  persuasion  of 
their  own  present  and  future  safety  is  too  exclusively 
desired  by  many  Christians.  They  are  too  much  oc- 
cupied with  thinking  of  themselves,  and  too  little 
of  their  Lord.  They  live  upon  their  own  spiritual 
condition — upon  their  frames  and  feelings.  They 
are  greatly  elevated  when  any  sensible  enlargement 
is  vouchsafed,  and  rejoice  more  in  the  gift  than  in  its 
gracious  Giver.  And  again  they  are  cast  down  and 
miserable  as  if  all  hope  were  lost,  when  they  can  find 
nothing  in  their  own  hearts  to  yield  them  consolation. 
We  would  earnestly  desire  to  turn  all  such  persons 
from  this  pursuit  of  a  false,  to  the  possession  of  a  true 
peace,  by  fixing  their  faith  not  so  much  on  what  they 
are  to  God,  as  on  what  he  is  to  them.  The  only  true 
source  of  consolation  and  confidence  for  life  and 
death,  for  time  and  for  eternity,  lies  in  Jehovah,  the 
unchanging  and  unchangeable  Fountain — the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  The  timid  and 
trembling  Christian  can  never  be  delivered  from  his 
doubts  and  apprehensions  till  he  be  brought  to  live  on 
God  alone,  and  find  in  him  the  secret  of  his  unfailing 
peace,  and  the  basis  of  his  everlasting  happiness.  It 
is  not  what  we  can  make  ourselves  to  God  that  will 
change  him ;  but  it  is  what  he  has  made  himself  to 
man  that  will  change  us.  Were  it  even  possible  that 
we  could  make  ourselves  sheep  of  his  fold,  what  as- 
surance could  we  have  that  he  would  undertake  the 
office  of  a  Shepherd?  We  might  earnestly  wish  and 
fervently  pray  that  he  would  do  so,  but  neither  our 
wishes  nor  our  prayers  could  give  us  evidence  of  the 
fact! 

How  blessed  and  delightful,    then,   is  it  to  know 
assuredly  by  the  volume  of  truth,   that  ere  we  had 


THE    TITLK    OF    THE    PSALM.  XXI 

conceived  a  wish,  or  breathed  a  prayer,  the  Lord 
Jehovah  of  his  own  accord,  in  (he  most  free  an. I  gra- 
cious manner,  placed  himself  in  the  relation  of  a 
Friend  and  a  Shepherd  to  our  helpless  souls !  No 
reason  can  he  given  why  he  condescends  to  love  as, 
and  to  take  pleasure  in  watching  over  us.  All  «  i 
say  is  this,  that  lie  is  pleased  to  do  so,  because  it 
pleases  him!  and  that  he  is  rich  in  mercy  towards 
ns.  -tor  the  great  love  wherewith  he  loves  us!"    Epli. 

"•    '•       <>li    how    worthy,   thru,   is    God    of    all    OUT    love 

and  confidence  !  lie  Loved  ns  for  his  own  Love's  sake, 
for  ^ere  remained  not  a  Bingle  atom  of  attractiveness 
in  our  nature  to  draw  forth  his  regard,  oh  wha(  a 
humiliating  doctrine  is  this !  it  tills  us  with  despair 
as  io  ourselves,  yet  it  tills  ,H  with  joy  as  to  our  God  ; 
for  it  proves  his  love  to  he  great  'and  marvellous, 
indeed,  when  it  could  fix  on  the,,-  who  were  no- 
worth  loving  ! 

When  we  understand  that  love  has  begun  with 
God,  and  flows  from  him  to  man,  we  feel  that  we  can 
fully  depend  both  on  the  purity  of  the  Bpring,  and  on 
the  continuance  of  its  flow.  Unhappy  indeed,  and 
hopeless  would  be  our  condition,  if  the  love  of  the  Lord 

to  US  were  only  created   |.y  our  love  to  him!       I  his  the 

Scripture  affirmed,  "God  loves  those  who  first  lose 
him  .'"'  Oh  no  !  The  testimony  of  the  aged  Apostle, 
who  had  leaned,.,,  the  bosom  of  his  Lord,  is  quite  the 
contrary.  -We  love  him  because  he  firs!  loved  us," 
1  John  iv.  1«).  It  is  then  in  the  free  ami  spontaneous 
love  of  God  that  thebelieveris  to  rejoice.  It  is  on  the 
relationship  which  God  has  graciously  assumed  to- 
wards him,  that  the  Christian  is  to  place  all  his  de- 
pendence ! 

Appropriate   tc   yourself  Oh  desponding  Christian, 


XXU  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

this  revelation  of  the  Most  High.  Give  credit  to  Lies* 
names.  Believe  that  God  is  willing  to  act  towards 
you  according  to  them.  He  does  not  regard  them  as 
empty  titles.  Neither  must  we.  See  how  David 
elsewhere  employs  the  revealed  names  and  character 
of  God  to  comfort  his  spirit  in  despondency,  and  to  for- 
tify his  soul  under  the  assaults  of  foes.  "  I  will  love 
thee,  O  Lord,  my  strength.  The  Lord  is  my  rock, 
and  my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer ,  my  God,  my 
strength,  in  whom  I  will  trust ;  my  buckler,  and  the 
horn  of  my  salvation,  and  my  high  tower,"  Psa.  xviii. 
1,  2.  This  is  natural.  The  sailor  trusts  in  his  cap- 
tain :  the  soldier  in  his  commander :  the  traveller  in 
his  guide.  According  to  the  character  for  skill,  pru- 
dence, and  faithfulness  which  they  severally  possess, 
so  is  the  confidence  they  repose  in  them,  and  so  also 
is  their  peace  in  following,  and  their  expectation  of 
success  and  triumph.  The  name  of  a  general,  that 
is,  his  character  as  a  commander,  dispirits  or  inspires 
his  army.  Who  ever  heard  of  troops  flushed  with  the 
hope  of  victory,  following  a  leader  who  had  been  often 
vanquished  ?  Nor  is  it  only  necessary  that  a  com- 
mander be  possessed  of  bravery  and  skill,  he  must  he 
known  to  be  so  by  all  his  soldiers.  The  moral  effect 
on  their  minds  is  not  produced  by  the  mere  existence 
of  the  highest  qualifications  in  their  general,  but  by 
their  believing  that  he  possesses  them. 

Let,  then,  your  eye  be  intently  fixed,  O  timid  and 
distrustful  Christian,  on  the  character  and  relation- 
ships of  your  God.  Contemplate  him,  for  instance,  as 
voluntarily  revealing  himself  under  the  title  of  a  Shep- 
herd. How  simple,  expressive,  and  inviting,  is  the 
appellation  here  assumed  by  the  Most  High!  A  shep- 
heid  presents  to  us  such  a  true  picture  of  tenderness 


THE    TITLE    OF   THE    PSALM.  XX1U 

and  care  ;  of  wisdom;  of  strength;  and  of  resources, 
thai  <>ur  hearts  are  encouraged  to  trust  implicitly  in 
that  God  whom  this  name  describes,  and  to  draw  free- 
ly from  him  a  supply  in  all  our  necessities.  We  learn 
with  joy  that  the  Lord  Jehovah  desires  to  discharge 
towards  us  the  office  of  a  Shepherd,  and  that  he  re- 
quires us  to  submit  ourselves  to  him  as  the  sheep  of 
his  fold.  If  he  watch  over  us  with  fidelity,  it  is  that 
we  may  repose  in  him  with  confidence.  If  he  stretch 
forth  the  hand  of  his  power  to  defend  US,  it  is  to  in- 
vite us  to  rely  on  his  protection.  When  he  lead-,  we 
are  to  follow.  When  he  culls,  we  are  to  obej  j  and 
when  his  word  is  pledged  for  our  sustenance,  we  are 
not  to  dishonour  him  by  entertaining  fears  that  we 
shall  he  left  to  want  TIhh  the  knowledge  of  God 
in  his  revealed  character  as  a  Shepherd,  produces  its 
legitimate  effect  upon  our  hearts.     We  feel  that  it  is 

nut  with  mere   names  and   titles   that    we   have   to  do. 

hut  with  a  living  Being,  whose  nearness  and  agency, 

whoselove  and  power,  this  name  and  title  enables  US 

to  realize.  God  is  n<>  longer  regarded  as  an  abstract 
idea,  as  a  theoretical  perfection,  or  as  ;i  remote  and 
undefined  essence,  with  or  without  whom  we  can  be 
equally  safe  and  happy.  We  become  conscious  that 
we  have  formed  an  actual  acquaintance  with  the  un- 
Been  God,  and  that  a  happy  relationship  has  been  es- 
tablished between  us  ! 

Ask  yourself  such  questions  as  these — Did  the  Lord 
so  many  years  ago,  of  his  own  accord,  take  this  office 
upon  himself?  Does  he  call  himself  the  Shepherd, 
yea.  the  good  Shepherd?     Does  he  undertake  to  be 

the  guide  and  the  provider  of  the  flock?  Has  he 
commanded  us  to  follow  him.  that  he  may  bring  US 
into  a  safe  and  happy  fold  /     Has  he  laid  down  hk 


XXIV  THE    TITLE    OF   THE    PSALM. 

life,  rather  than  suffer  any  of  his  sheep  to  perish  1 
Let  such  questions  as  these  be  often  in  your  mind. 
Meditate  continually  on  what  Christ  is,  on  what  he 
has  already  done,  and  on  what  he  promises  still  to  do. 
Acquaint  yourself  with  the  power  and  the  willingness 
of  Christ  to  act  as  your  Shepherd.  Settle  it  well  in 
your  mind  that  his  resources  are  boundless,  and  that 
he  is  ever  ready  to  render  them  available  for  his  flock. 
Endeavour  thus  to  obtain  an  enlarged  and  accurate 
acquaintance  with  the  Lord  your  Shepherd,  and  you 
will  find  your  peace  and  happiness  of  mind,  your 
strength  and  confidence  of  faith,  proportionably  in- 
creased. You  will  behold  in  Christ  a  blessed  counter- 
part to  yourself.  Vile,  weak,  empty,  and  defenceless, 
as  you  feel  yourself  to  be,  you  will  obtain  in  him  wis- 
dom, strength,  righteousness,  fulness  of  supply,  and 
Almighty  protection.  Depressed  and  melancholy  as 
you  may  well  be  on  account  of  what  you  yourself  are, 
you  will  learn  that  your  only  cause  of  rejoicing  is  in 
what  the  Lord  is  to  you,  and  in  what  the  Lord  has 
promised  to  do  for  you.  And  contemplating  thus  the 
character  of  the  Lord,  and  beholding,  in  Christ,  as  in 
a  glass,  the  glory  of  his  name  and  nature,  you  shall  lie 
changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory  even 
as  by  the  Lord  the  Spirit,"  2  Cor.  iii.  18.  Christ  is 
the  sun  of  life  and  light  and  joy  to  the  human  heart. 
"  Look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved."  This  looking  lias 
a  moral  and  transforming  influence.  It  is  like  the 
continual  looking  of  intimate  friends  upon  each  other, 
which  causes  them  to  assimilate  in  thought  and  feel- 
ing. It  is  like  the  looking  of  a  confiding  and  obedient 
child  upon  a  wise  and  honoured  parent,  whose  man- 
ner and  example  he  insensibly  imitates,  and  into  the 
form  of  whose  soul  he  is  gradually  moulded ! 


THE    TITLE    Of    THE    PSALM.  \  \.V 

By  thus  keeping  the  eye  fixed  on  the  et  of 

Christ,  and  on  the  offices  which  he  discharges  for  our 
salvation,  the  obligations  which  we  owe  to  him  in  re- 
turn an-  more  effectually  impressed  upon  our  ininds 
We  become  filled  with  higher  thoughts  of  his  i 
lences,  and  deeper  thoughts  of  our  own  demerits.  And 
the  more  convinced  we  become  of  the  care  and  kind- 
.uiil  good  faith  which  he  exercises  towards  us,  the 
more  imperatively  bound  do  we  feel  to  act  with  grati- 
tude, obedience,  and  fidelity  towards  him.  The  know- 
ledge of  his  unmerited  Love,  his  amazing  condescension 
;iik1  self-sacrifice  for  us,  inspires  us  with  the  highest 
confidence  towards  him,  and  brings  us  under  the 
strongest  obligation  to  re mce  everything  that  is  dis- 
pleasing in  his  Bight.     "The  love  of  Christ constrain- 

eth  us,  because  we  thus  judge  thai  it'  i died  for  all, 

Him  were  all  dead,  and  thai  be  died  for  all.  that  they 
which  live  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves, 
hut  unto  him  which  died  for  them  and  rose  again,'1  ~ 
Cor.  v.  1  1. 

Significant  and  beautiful  as  this  emblem  of  a  Shep- 
herd is,  David  seems  to  have  felt  that  it  could  not 
adequately  express  the  greatness  and  the  excellency  of 
the  Lord's  condescension  towards  him.  His  mind  was 
occupied  with  enlarged  conceptions  of  the  goodness  of 
Jehovah.  He  desired,  if  it  were  possible,  todoju 
to  the  lofty  theme,  and  to  secure  a  full  utterance  for 
hi- own  fervent  gratitude.  He  therefore  selects  ano- 
ther figure,  as  opposite  in  all  its  features  to  thai  of  a 
Shepherd  and  his  flock,  as  could  well  be  imagined; 
iu-i  as  it"  his  design  were  tosho\t  thai  from  the  most 
elevated  as  \\<M  as  the  mosl  humble  circumstaro 
life,  appropriate  illustrations  maj  be  derived  of  the 
goodness  and  the  power,  the  liberality  and  the  condor 

3 


XXVJ  THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM. 

scension  of  the  Most  High  God.  By  a  royal  banquet — 
where  a  table  is  expressly  prepared  for  his  enjoyment 
— by  his  gracious  reception  there,  in  defiance  of  the 
envy  and  the  hatred  ol  his  enemies — by  the  marks  of 
love  and  of  respect  conferred  upon  him  by  the  sovereign 
— and  by  the  overflowing  abundance  of  which  he  is 
made  a  partaker,  he  represents  to  us  the  condescension 
and  the  liberality  of  God,  and  declares  the  honourable 
and  joyous  condition  to  which  he  was  himself  exalted 
as  a  believer. 

Most  happy  then  and  blessed  is  the  man  who  believes 
in  God  as  he  is  revealed  in  Christ.  He  is  not  only  a 
humble  sheep  of  a  fold,  he  is  also  an  honoured  guest 
at  a  banquet !  And  the  great  and  gracious  Jehovah 
in  whom  he  confides,  is  not  only  a  Shepherd  who  pre- 
serves his  sheep  from  all  evil,  but  also  a  Royal  Host 
who  richly  provides  for  his  friends  in  the  very  presence 
of  their  enemies  !  Oh  how  it  fills  our  hearts  with  joy 
to  discover  that  the  Shepherd  whom  we  follow  is  a 
great  King  !  We  learn  that  he  is  leading  us  not  only 
into  the  valley  of  peace,  but  also  into  the  kingdom  of 
grace  !  And  we  obtain  the  delightful  assurance  that 
he  can  not  only  preserve  us  for  ever  within  the  sacred 
enclosure  of  his  fold,  but  that  he  can  also  exalt  us  to 
everlasting  honour  and  gladness  in  his  kingdom  of 
glory  ! 

The  Lord  Jesus  then  is  revealed  to  us  in  this  Psalm 
as  a  shepherd  and  a  king,  abounding  in  wisdom, 
benevolence,  and  power  !  As  our  Shepherd  and  King 
ne  is  to  form  the  object  of  our  confidence  and  obedience 
during  the  whole  period  of  our  earthly  existence  !  As 
our  Shepherd  and  King  he  shall  be  also  the  object  of 
our  hope  and  our  veneration  in  the  day  of  his  glorious 
appearing :     For    before    him    shall    be    gathered    all 


THE    TITLE    OF    THE    PSALM.  Xivil 

nations;  and  first  as  a  Shepherd  he  will  separate  them 
one  from  another,  dividing  the  sheep  from  the  goats: 
and  then  as  a  King  he  will  say  to  those  on  his  right 
hand,  "Gome,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the 
kingdom  prepared  i < > r  you  from  the  foundation  <>!"  the 
world!"  .Matt.  xxv.  34,  Lastly,  as  our  Shepherd  and 
King  he  shall  be  the  object  of  our  love,  our  gratitude, 
and  our  adoration,  throughout  th«'  endless  ages  of 
eternity!  For  then  a>  a  Shepherd  and  a  King  be 
will  rule  in  the  midst  of  his  llock,  and  no  enemy  shall 
approach  them  !  Under  his  heavenly  and  everlasting 
reign,  his  once  invited  and  for  ever  welcomed  guests 
shall  ••  hunger  n<>  more,  neither  thirst  any  more,  nei- 
ther shall  the  sun  li'j;ht  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For 
the  Lamb,  which  is'*  as  their  KING]  "in  the  midst  of 
the  throne,  shall  feed  them'1  as  their  shepherd,  "and 
shall  lead  them  onto  living  fountains  of  water-:  and" 
as  their  God,  He  "shall  wipe  away  all  teats  beta 
their  eyes  !'*  Rev.  vii.  16,  17. 


THE    FOLD, 

THE   SHEPHERD. 

Verse  1. —  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd. 

What  security !  what  blessedness  !  are  denoted  by 
these  words !  The  Psalmist  truly  is  enjoying  the 
"happiness  of  the  man  who  has  the  God  of  Jacob 
for  his  help,  and  whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God." 
The  Spirit  of  light  and  truth,  of  grace  and  of  adoption, 
has  given  him  inspiration.  His  soul,  overflowing  with 
lively  and  delightful  emotions,  pours  forth  this  beau- 
tiful psalm  !  Brief,  but  emphatic,  and  comprehensive, 
is  its  opening  announcement !  In  the  holy  confidence 
of  faith,  David  gives  utterance  to  his  joyful  recogni- 
tion of  a  near  relationship  subsisting  between  the 
great  Creator  and  himself, — "  The  Lord  is  my  Shep- 
herd !" 

This  beautiful  and  instructive  similitude  informs  us 
at  once  what  the  Lord  is  to  the  believer,  and  what  the 
believer  is  to  the  Lord.  The  nature,  the  excellency, 
and  the  completeness,  of  their  relationship  are  stri- 
kingly exhibited.  Such  as  a  shepherd  is  to  his  flock, 
such  the  King  of  heaven  condescends  to  become  to- 
wards us  his  wandering,  helpless,  sinful  creatures. 
By  this  simple  image  David  presents  before  us  in  a 


THE    SHEPHERD.  29 

mos'  graphic  manner,  the  goodness,  the  tenderness, 
the  watchful  care,  the  providing  love,  the  gracious 
nearness,  and  the  protecting  power,  which  God  had 
manifested  toward-  him.  And  again,  in  this  single 
sentence,  he  gives  us  to  understand  that  it  is  alike  his 
duty,  his  desire,  and  his  determination,  to  listen  only 
to  this  Shepherd's  voice,  to  follow  implicitly  in  me 
footsteps,  to  feed  exclusively  within  his  pastures,  to 
rely  steadfastly  on  his  faithfulness,  and  to  confide  con- 
tinually in  his  protection!  How  near,  how  perfect, 
and  how  hlessed,  is  the  relationship  thus  subsisting 
between  the  believer  and  Ins  God!  How  many,  how- 
varied,  and  how  important,  are  the  mutual  duties  of 
the  pastor  and  his  Hock  !  [low  comforting,  therefore, 
and  how  comprehensive,  is  this  remarkable  declaration 

of  the  Psalmist,  "The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd!" 

To  appreciate  fully  the  happiness  which  David 
enjoyed  as  a  member  of  a  Hock,  we  musl  attentively 
consider  the  greatness  of  that  Being  whom  he  here 
denominates  its  Shepherd.  "The  Lord  is  mj  Shep- 
herd;" that  is, in  the  Hebrew  original,  t] Jehovah," 

the  highest  title  h\  which  God  has  revealed  himself 
to  man.  It  is  the  incommunicable  name.  "Thou, 
whose  name  alone  is  Jehovah, art  the  Mosl  High  over 
all  the  earth,"  Psa.  I\\\iii.  18.  Jehovah  signifies  exist- 
ence —self-existence  ;  existence  w  ithout  beginning  and 
without  end.  It  discloses  to  us  nothing  of  the  Divine 
Essence,  bul  informs  us  of  the  Eternal  Being.  Jeho 
vali  is  "the  high  and  lofty  One  that  inhabitetfa  eter- 
nity," Esa.  lvii.  15.  He  is  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega, 
the  beginning  and  the  ending;  which  is,  and  which 
was,  and  which  is  to  come,  the  Almighty,  Rev.  i.  v- 
Jehovah  is  He  who  hath  life  in  him-elf.  John  v.  26, 
and  who  riveth  to  all  life  and  breath  and  all  thi 


30  THE    SHEPHERD. 

Acts  xvii.  25.  Jehovah  created  the  universe  out  of 
nothing :  he  upholds  it  with  his  hand — governs  it  by 
his  word — and  "calleth  the  things  that  be  not,  as 
though  they  were,"  Rom.  iv.  17.  He  is  denominated 
the  eternal  King,  1  Tim.  i.  17;  the  everlasting  God, 
Rom.  xvi.  26 ;  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for 
ever,  Heb.  xiii.  8.  This  "  Jehovah,"  says  the  Psalmist. 
"  is  my  Shepherd  !"  This  great  and  glorious  Creator 
of  the  universe  has  graciously  condescended  to  place 
himself  in  near  relationship  to  me,  his  feeble,  guilty, 
and  erring  creature  !  This  self-existent  and  eternal 
Lord  has  taught  me  by  his  Spirit  to  know,  and  to  ad- 
mire, his  condescension :  and  from  my  inmost  soul  I 
love,  I  prize,  and  ever  will  acknowledge  his  relation- 
ship to  me,  though  most  unworthy, — "  The  Lord  is 
my  Shepherd  !" 

Great  and  glorious,  then,  is  the  Being  of  whom 
David  here  speaks.  And  when  he  calls  him  a  Shep- 
herd, we  are  not  to  regard  the  title  as  one  which  the 
Psalmist  of  his  own  accord,  and  without  warrant,  had 
applied  to  God ;  but  as  an  appellation  which  the  Most 
High  had  graciously  appropriated  to  himself. 

From  the  earliest  ages  the  God  of  mercy  had  been 
pleased  to  reveal  himself  to  his  people  under  the  simil- 
itude of  a  Shepherd.  The  ancient  church  looked 
forward  to  the  coming  of  the  Messiah  as  the  Shepherd 
and  Preserver  of  Israel.  The  dying  patriarch  Jacob 
spake  of  him  to  his  assembled  children  in  this  remark- 
able manner ;  "  From  thence  is  the  Shepherd,  the 
stone  of  Israel,"  Gen.  xlix.  21.  Again,  we  learn  by 
this  psalm,  and  also  by  the  eightieth,  that  this  title 
was  well  known  to  the  church  as  being  acceptable  to 
the  Most  High,  for  Asaph  thus  begins  his  supplication, 
"  Give  ear,   C   Shepherd  of  Israel,   thou  that  leadest 


THE    SHEPHERD.  31 

Joseph  like  a  flock,"  Psa.  lww  1.  To  the  advent  of 
this  Shepherd,  who  had  led  the  children  of  Israel  in 
all  their  wanderings,  the  prophets  of  old  looked  for- 
ward  with  eager  expectation.  "Behold.'"  Bays  Isaiah, 
"the  Lord  God  will  come  ....  he  shall  Iced  his  flock 
like  a  shepherd :  he  shall  gather  the  lambs  with  his 
arm.  and  cany  them  in  his  bosom,  and  -hall  gently  lead 
those  that  are  with  young,"  Isa.  xl.  10.  Ezekiel  de- 
clares in  the  nana'  of  the  Lord,  "  And  I  will  set  up 
one  shepherd  over  them,  and  he  shall  feed  them,  even 
my  servant.  David  (the  Beloved);  he  shall  \'vcd 
and  he  shall  he  their  shepherd,"  Ezek.  \\\iv.  23. 
\\  hile  thus  the  prophets  hailed  his  advent,  they  were, 
not  ignorant  of  his  gracious  purpose  to  Lay  down  his 
life  for  his  flock,  for  thus  was  Zechariah  inspired  to 
write.  "  Awake,  O  sword,  against  my  Shepherd,  and 
againsl  the  Man  thai  is  raj  fellow.  Baith  the  Lord 
of  hosts-:  smite  the  Shepherd,  and  the  Bheep shall  be 
scattered,"  Zech.  riii.  7.  When  the  fulness  of  the 
time  was  come,  the  Messiah  appeared  on  the  earth, 
ami  graciously  assumed  the  title  of  Shepherd,  thai  he 
might  fulfil  the  prophecies  he  had  inspired,  and  meet 
the  expectations  he  had  raised.  This  name  therefore 
is  not  to  he  regarded  as  merel)  a  beautiful  figure  with 
which  the  Lord  Jesus  adorned  his  discourse  at  Jeru- 
salem. Neither  did  In*  employ  it  simply  because  the 
office  and  the  character  of  a  shepherd  were  appropriate 
emblems  of  the  care  and  the  love  which  he  bestows 
upon  his  church:  but  also  because  the  title  and  the 
duties,  the  character  and  the  office,  of  the  Messiah- 
Shepherd  were  his  peculiar  prerogatives.  Ele  alone 
possessed  the  righl  to  that  title,  and  therefore  h< 
elared,  and  a  second  lime  repeated  the  declaration,  "I 

am  the  '_r<>od  Shepherd.'"  John  v.  11,  14. 


7 


32  THE    SHEPHERD. 

The  title  thus  claimed  and  appropriated  by  the 
Saviour,  was  exclusively  applied  to  him  by  the  in- 
spired apostles.  St.  Paul  testifies  of  the  Lord  Jesus  a3 
a  great  Shepherd.  "Now  the  God  of  peace,  that 
brought  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep,"  Heb.  xiii.  20.  St.  Peter  like 
wise  describes  him  as  the  chief  Shepherd,  from 
whom  all  true  pastors  derive  their  authority,  and  shall 
obtain  their  reward:  "And  when  the  chief  Shepherd 
shall  appear,  ye  also  shall  receive  a  crown  of  glory  that 
fadeth  not  away,"  1  Pet.  v.  4.  Again  the  same  apos- 
tle, who  delighted  to  contemplate  his  Lord  in  this 
character,  emphatically  spake  of  him  as  the  Shep- 
herd— the  true,  the  only,  Shepherd  of  the  soul :  "  Ye 
were  as  sheep  going  astray,  but  are  now  returned  unto 
the  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  your  souls,"  1  Pet.  ii.  25. 

Jesus  of  Nazareth,  then,  is  the  Messiah-Shephetd — 
the  Jehovah-Shepherd.  To  him  patriarchs,  psalmists, 
and  prophets,  under  the  Old  Testament,  looked  for- 
ward. To  him  apostles,  martyrs,  and  confessors,  under 
the  New  Testament,  bare  witness  as  the  Lord  their 
Shepherd.  Thus  by  all  believers,  in  both  dispensa- 
tions, the  same  figurative  language  has  been  employed 
in  prayer  and  praise.  The  Messiah  has  been  known 
and  loved  as  a  Shepherd  in  all  ages.  The  Gentile 
and  the  Jew  rejoice  together  under  the  care  of  the 
same  great  Pastor.  The  Christian  learns  to  identify 
himself  with  the  Israelite.  He  holds  the  same  faith 
with  David.  He  feels  himself  to  be  a  member  of  the 
same  fold.  He  participates  in  all  the  blessings  of  the 
same  flock,  lie  places  his  trust  in  the  same  almighty 
Protector ;  and  therefore  joyfully  adopts  the  same 
language,  "  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd." 

The  Lord  Jesus,  from  the  beginning  of  the  world, 


THE    SHEPHERD.  33 

is  the  only  Snepherd  of  the  universal  church.  He  is 
the  Belf-existing,  uncreated,  and  eternal,  Jehovah, 
whose  love  and  care,  whose  providence  and  power,  are 
alike  unlimited  and  inexhaustible.  Hi-  Shepherd- 
care  extends  over  all  time— embraces  every  dispensa- 
tion- supplies  every  want — anticipates  every  emer- 
gency -comprehends  every  believer  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  the  world — and  shall  everlastingly 
scenic  the  safety  and  the  happiness  of  every  member 
of  Ins  flock!  He  is  the  Jehovah,  "God  overall,  and 
bl<  Bsed  for  ever,"  Rom.  ix.  5.  Who  then  can  hesitate 
to  believe  that  he  is  an  aj.l-si  pficient  Shepherd? 
In  strength  He  is  almighty— in  wisdom  omniscient  - 
in  love  unequalled — and  in  resources  unbounded 
\\  li.it  are  those  evils  which  he  cannot  foresee  .'  W  hal 
is  thai  danger  which  he  cannot  avert  .'  \\  here  i~  that 
enemy  whom  he  canno4  subdue  .'    \\  hal  is  the  name, 

or  the  nature  of  that  want  which  he  is  unable  !'•  sup 

pry  .'  The  various  members  of  his  flock  are  as  differ 
em  in  their  age,  their  desires,  their  dispositions,  theii 

temptations,  and  their  necessities,  as  they  are  in  their 
language,   their    country,   and    their  complexion  :    hut 

\et  the  eye  of  the  Jehovah-Shepherd  can  observe  each 
of  his  widely  scattered  sheep,  as  minutely  as  it'  they 
were  all  gathered  before  him  into  cue  spot  :  -  his  ear  is 
as  open  to  their  several  requests,  as  though  he  had  the 
voice  only  of  a  single  petitioner  to  regard;     and  his 

hand  can  administer,  out  of  the  fulness  of  hi<  resources, 
to  each  and  to  all  of  them,  at  any  and  at  ever}  mo- 
ment, whatsoever  blessings  may  prove  most  suitable 

to  their  case.      To   the   troubled    heart    he   can    impart 

peace  -to  the  weary,  rest  -  and  to  the  penitent,  pardon. 
To  the  hungry  bou!  he  can  give  food  -to  the  blind, 
Bight — and  to  the  si.k.  heahh.     To  the  weak  he  eta 


34  THE    SHEPHERD. 

send  strength — to  the  wavering,  resolution — and  to 
the  tempted,  deliverance.  He  has  counsel  for  the  in- 
experienced— wisdom  for  the  simple — and  righteous- 
ness for  the  guilty.  The  proud  he  can  clothe  with 
humility,  and  the  censorious  with  charity.  To  the 
selfish  he  can  impart  generosity — to  the  hasty,  patience 
— and  to  the  unstable,  perseverance.  On  the  young 
he  can  bestow  docility — on  the  middle-aged,  sobriety 
— and  on  the  old,  contentment.  To  the  bereaved  he 
administers  resignation,  and  consolation  to  them  that 
are  in  sorrow— to  the  living,  an  undying  hope — and 
to  the  dying,  an  endless  life  ! 

Oh  how  the  heart  rises  at  the  thought  of  a  Divine 
Shepherd  !  Jehovah  !  the  self-existent,  the  eternal, 
Lord,  is  the  Shepherd  of  Israel !  The  Man  that  is 
the  Fellow  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  the  Shepherd  who 
was  smitten  for  our  sakes  !  The  glorious  Being  who 
has  now  sat  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  in 
the  heavens,  Heb.  i.  3,  is  the  watchful  pastor  of  the 
meanest  of  his  flock !  O  most  gracious  and  almighty 
Shepherd  !  never  may  my  soul  be  destitute  of  thy 
protection  !  Oh,  thrice  happy  flock,  that  abide  within 
the  fold  !  never  may  I  wander  from  the  "  company  of 
God's  faithful  people !" 

The  consideration  of  so  "  good,"  so  "  great,"  a  Shep- 
herd, should  captivate  the  best  affections,  and  awaken 
the  deepest  gratitude  of  our  hearts  !  Happy,  for  ever 
happy,  is  the  man  in  whose  breast  the  Spirit  of  the 
living  God  has  insp^ed  an  appropriating  faith,  and 
kindled  a  holy  and  a  fervent  love  !  Who  shall  describe 
the  blessedness  of  the  individual  who  has  experiment- 
ally learned  to  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  The  Lord  is 
my  Shepherd?"  Such  a  delightful  doclaration  on  his 
lip.  implies  a  blessed  persuasion  in  his  heart,  that  the 


THE    SHEPHERD  35 

•km  .Tiul  the  resources,  the  fare  and  the  love,  the  ex- 
perience and  the  power,  of  this  Shepherd,  Bhall  all  be 
exercised  in  providing  for  his  wants,  his  safety,  and  his 
happiness!  The  vet}  name  of  shepherd  is  a  bli 
pledge  of  union  and  affection  between  the  pastor  and 
his  Hock.  H  is  a  mutual  assurance  of  fidelity.  By" 
assuming  this  office,  the  Lord  Jesus  has  pledged  him- 
self to  discharge  ail  ii<  incumbent  duties:  and  by 
applying  this  title  to  him,  do  we  nol  pledge  ourselves 
to  obey  him  constantly,  to  love  him  supremely,  in 
trust  him  implicitly,  and  to  follow  him  exclusively,  as 
our  only,  our  unerring,  and  our  omnipotent,  Shepherd  .' 

Set  before  your  mind,  O  believer,  the  various  duties 
which  a  shepherd  performs  towards  his  flock.     Con- 
sider the  innumerable  benefits  \\  bich  it  derives  from  bis 
care,   and   constant   superintendence.      A    wise   and 
faithful  shepherd  will   neglect   nothing  thai  concerns 
In-  charge.     Hi-  watchful  presence  will  Ik-  with  them 
at  all  seasons.     With  sound  judgment  and  discretion 
he  will  exercise  his  authority  over  them.     Every  s 
committed   to   his  care   he  will  personally  know,  and 
consider  himself  to  he  responsible  for  its  safety.     To 
the  most  wholesome  pastures  it  i-  his  office  to  conducl 
them,  .and  against  every  threatening  danger  he  makes 
it  his  duty  to  protect  them.     \\  ho  Bhould  search  after 
the  wanderers  from  the  fold  -cleanse  those  that  are 
defiled  —and  adnunister  to  the  healing  of  the  dises 
hut  the  shepherd  to  whom   their  oversight  beloi 
In  the  thicket   and  the  brier  he  will  not   leave  an 
his  sheep  to  lie  entangled,  nox  suffer  them  to  he  arw  epl 
away  by    the  overflowing  waters.     ■      will  tenderly 
lead  the  halt,  and  the  blind,  and  paticntlj  hen-  u  uh  the. 
feeble  and  the    froward.     Over  young   and  old.  over 
weak  ami  strong,  he  will  unweariedlj  watch,  and  deal 


36  THE    SHEPHERD. 

with  each  of  them  in  an  appropriate  mannei.  And 
lastly,  he  will  carefully  provide  for  the  pasturage  and 
the  preservation  of  his  whole  flock  in  a  safe  and  ample 
fold. 

To  fulfil  all  these  onerous  and  important  duties,  how 
many,  and  how  diversified,  must  be  the  qualifications 
of  the  shepherd  !  To  provide  for  the  continual  neces- 
sities of  a  large  flock,  he  must  possess  resources  of  the 
most  abundant  kind.  To  give  the  requisite  attention 
to  the  several  wants  of  each  individual  member,  he 
must  be  of  a  most  patient,  tender,  and  sympathizing 
spirit.  When  difficulties  suddenly  encompass,  how 
quick  must  he  be  to  devise,  how  skilful  to  direct,  and 
how  powerful  and  persevering  to  accomplish,  the  de- 
liverance of  his  flock  !  And  when  dangers  overtake, 
how  vigilant  and  courageous  must  the  shepherd  be,  to 
defend  his  helpless  sheep,  and  to  drive  away  every 
enemy  and  assailant ! 

With  the  full  knowledge  of  all  these  incumbent 
duties,  and  of  all  the  qualifications  necessary  to  their 
discharge,  the  blessed  Redeemer  graciously  assumed 
the  office  of  a  shepherd.  In  what  a  supereminent 
degree  he  possesses  these  qualifications,  and  in  what  a 
perfect  manner  he  fulfils  these  duties,  no  mere  human 
language  can  sufficiently  declare.  The  volume  of  in- 
spiration lias  described  him  as  the  "great,"'  and  the 
"good,"  and  the  "chiefj"  Shepherd — as  the  only 
Pastor  of  the  one  and  only  fold — and  as  "  the  Shep- 
herd and  JJishop  of  our  souls."  The  flock  is  the  con- 
st;! nt  subject  of  his  thought-:,  and  the  dearest  object  of 
his  affections.  Every  want  of  his  sheep  is  anticipated 
and  provided  for.  In  all  the  dangers  that  may  threaten 
them,  he  is  ever  near  to  rescue  and  deliver.  "All 
power  is  given  unto  him  in  heaven  and  on  earth  ;"  no 


tin:  shepherd.  ::? 

enemy,  therefore,  will  lit-  suffer  to  destroy  the  feeblest 
member  of  his  Hock.  For  how  many  ages,  and  in 
how  great  difficulties,  has  he  shown  his  wisdom  to 
govern,  and  his  ability  to  guide  !  Oh  who  will  doubt 
the  sufficiency  of  his  resources  to  meet  every  possible 
necessity,  lor  to  him  "all  things  belong!'1  And  in  re- 
gard to  his  faithfulness  to  all  his  obligations,  how  de- 
lightful is  the  assurance  which  his  own  words  contain, 
"  Of  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me  have  I  lost  none  !" 
John  xviii.  9. 

With  the  highest  and  most  exalted  sense  of  the 
excellency  of  this  Shepherd,  should  every  believer  he 
animated.  How  glorious  is  i he  Being  whom  sinful 
man  lane  calls  his  Shepherd  !  I  low  great  is  his  con- 
descension in  undertaking  this  office  !  lh>\v  complete 
are  his  qualifications!  How  abundant  his  resources  ! 
How  faithful  his  performance  of  its  duties  |  And  how 
perfect. *and  infallible  shall  be  his  success  !  Elevating 
and  ennobling  is  the  thought,  that  the  faithful  of  all 
periods  and  countries  constitute  one  fold  under  this 
Divine  Shepherd.  The  Lord  Jesus  is  the  e  verywhere- 
presenl   Pastor,  the  universal  Bishop  and  Overseer  di 

souls.  lie  has  been  present  with  his  flock  in  all  ages. 
lie  is  with  them  now  in  all  places.  Scattered  a-  they 
are  in  every  part  of  the  earth,  he  fails  not  to  be  near 
to  everyone  of  them.  In  the  east  and  the  west,  in 
the  north  and  the  south,  the  souls  of  believers  equally 
enjoy  the  experience  of  his  care.  This  gracious  Shep- 
herd has  declared  that  he  will  never  leave  his  dock. 

His  parting  promise  was  filll  of  ('.insolation.  "  I  ,o.  1  am 
with  you  alway.  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  Malt. 
xxi.  20;  and  again  he  had  -aid.  ••  \\  here  two  or  three 
are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  i  m  I  in  the 
midst  of  them."  Matt,  xviii.  20. 

1 


38  THE    SHEPHERD. 

"Well  does  it  become  every  Christian  to  inquire, 
Is  this  Shepherd  of  the  flock  my  Shepherd?  Vitally 
important  is  this  question,  and  closely  does  it  concern 
every  one  of  us.  Has  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God 
taught  thee  to  feel,  O  Reader,  that,  whatever  be  the 
plenty  or  the  penury  of  thy  outward  condition,  thy 
soul  by  nature  is  like  a  lonely  sheep,  straying  in  the 
deserts,  bleating  after  safety,  and  encompassed  by 
dangers  ?  Hast  thou  heard  that  there  is  a  Shepherd, 
a  good  Shepherd,  and  that  all  his  sheep  are  protected 
and  provided  for  ?  To  know  this  much  only,  is  not 
enough  to  meet  thy  case.  Has  a  desire  been  awa- 
kened within  thee,  "  Oh  !  that  this  Shepherd  were 
mine?"  And  has  this  desire  prompted  the  prayer, 
"  Lord,  take  me  into  thy  fold  V  If  this  desire  and 
this  prayer  be  real,  earnest,  and  influential,  within 
thy  heart,  they  testify  that  this  spiritual  Shepherd  is 
seeking  thy  lost  soul.  Oh  strive  and  struggle  not 
against  the  friendly  hand  that  would  lay  thee  on  his 
shoulder  !  The  good  Shepherd  will  bring  thee  home 
to  his  fold  rejoicing.  He  will  say,  "This  is  my 
sheep,  which  was  lost ;''  and  thou  shalt  be  enabled  to 
reply,  "  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd  !"  Such  was  the 
experience  of  David.  The  Spirit  of  God  had  taught 
him  to  feel  that  he  was  a  sinner  ;  that  his  natural 
condition  was  desolate  and  hopeless ;  that  as  a  wan- 
derer from  God,  his  soul  was  lost ;  and  that  it  was 
utterly  impossible  for  him  to  effect  his  own  salvation. 
Stirred  up  by  these  thoughts,  the  desires  of  his  heart 
were  turned  heavenward.  He  was  led  earnestly  to 
pray  for  deliverance  from  sin,  for  acceptance  with 
God,  and  for  the  salvation  of  his  precious  soul.  He 
knew  that  there  was  a  Keeper  of  Israel  who  never 
slumbered    noi    slept.      He  believed    that  whosoever 


THE    SHEPIir.lM'  39 

trusted  in  him  would  never  be  disappointed.  Under 
the  drawings  tit'  the  same  Spirit,  his  desires  became 
more  intense,  his  prayers  more  fervent,  and  hi-  faith 
more  hold.  He  deliberately  committed  ih<-  keeping 
of  In-  soul  to  the  Shepherd  of  Israel:  and  with  him 
he  fell  that  it  was  safe.  He  believed  that  he  who 
called  himself  a  Shepherd,  would  not.  tail  to  act  a 
shepherd's  part :  and  joy  and  gratitude  in  conse- 
quence sprang  up  within  hi-  breast  Numerous  and 
constant,  therefore,  as  were  his  wants;  powerful  and 
inveterate  as  were  hi<  enemies;  however  feeble  his 
own  strength,  and  however  great  his  own  unworthi- 
oess,  faith  raised  him  superior  to  every  depressing  ap- 
prehension, and  enabled  him  humbly,  yet  boldly,  to 
exclaim,  "The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd." 

Seek,  O  Christian,  earnestly  seek  to  possess  the 
same  appropriating  faith.  The  whole  emphasis  of 
this  declaration  lies  in  the  possessive  pronoun  "my." 
Strike  out  thi<  little  word,  and  you  destroj  the  sense 
and  sweetness  of  the  whole  psalm.  Had  David 
merely  said,  "The  Lord  is  a  Shepherd,"  this  truth 
would  have  proved  too  vague  to  elicit  gratitude,  to 
dispel  fear,  or  to  elevate  his  soul  with  joyful  emotions. 
15nt  no  sooner  was  he  enabled  to  say,  "The  Lord  i< 
my  Shepherd,"  than  his  heart,  glowed  with  gratitude 
and  exultation.  See  how  triumphantly  he  add-.  ■•  1 
shall  not  want," — "I  shall  fear  no  evil."  \n  appro- 
priating   faith    expands    the   heart.      Behold    wha!   lite 

and  energj  it  imparts!  ••Thou  art  my  God,  and 
I  will  praise  thee:    thou  art  my   God,   I    will  exalt 

thee."       l'-.l.      CXViii.      2&        "  I      Will     lo\e     thee.     <  I     Lord 

my  strength.  The  Lord  i-  mj  rock,  and  my  fortress, 
and  my  deliverer:  my  God,  my  strength,  in  whom 
1  will   trust  :  my  buckler,  and  the  horn  of  my     d- 


40  THE    SHEPHERD. 

vation,  and  my  nigh  tower,"  Psa.  xviii.  1,  2.  "  The 
Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation,  whom  shall  I 
fear?  The  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life,  of  whom 
shall  I  be  afraid?"  Psa.  xxvii.  1.  Such  is  the  high 
privilege  to  which  every  believer  may  attain.  The 
joy  of  the  Lord  is  the  strength  of  his  people.  Faith 
displaces  fear  in  every  member  of  the  "  little  flock." 
Its  appropriating  power  enables  each  of  them  with 
more  or  less  emphasis  to  say,  "  The  Lord  is  my 
Shepherd." 

Oh  wonderful  words  !  The  Lord  Jehovah  is  my 
Shepherd  !  I,  a  creature  of  yesterday,  yet  the  eter- 
nal God  is  my  Keeper  !  I,  a  frail  and  dying  mortal. 
yet  the  Self-existent  is  my  Preserver !  I,  a  sinner 
that  have  often  strayed  like  a  lost  sheep,  yet  Jehovah 
is  my  Shepherd  !  Oh  how  good,  how  great,  a  Shep- 
herd, is  the  Lord  my  Shepherd  !  His  hand  has  led 
me  all  my  life  long  unto  this  day  !  His  bounty  has 
supplied  my  wants !  His  longsuffering  has  borne 
with  the  perverseness  of  my  heart !  His  gracious 
promises  have  spoken  comfort  to  my  soul !  His  ever- 
lasting arm  has  been  around  me  for  a  defence  !  Oh 
for  a  heart  to  love  my  Shepherd  as  I  ought !  Mar- 
vellous has  been  his  love  towards  me  !  He  came  from 
heaven  to  seek  me.  He  called  with  his  voice  to  find 
me.  He  took  me  on  his  shoulders  to  restore  me. 
He  brought  me  into  his  fold  to  secure  me.  He  gave 
his  own  blood  to  cleanse  me.  He  has  sent  his  own 
Spirit  to  revive  me.  Shall  I  not  then  love  him  with 
my  whole  soul,  and  obey  him  through  my  whole 
life  ?  My  Shepherd  is  the  mighty  Lord  who  opposed 
himself  to  the  devouring  lion  lor  my  salvation!  That 
Shepherd  who  gave  his  own  life  to  rescue  mine,  is 
alive  again,  and  is  my  Shepheiv  still !     He  regards 


THE    SHEPHERD.  11 

me  as  his  ransomed  sheep.  He  ever  lives  to  claim 
hie  blocd-boughl  property.  He  ever  rales  to  rescue 
and  defend  it!  Poor,  then,  and  destitute  as  I  am, 
my  Shepherd  is  the  possessor  of  all  tiling  !  Unwor- 
thj  and  unstable  as  I  am,  my  Shepherd  i-  the  gra- 
cious and  the  immutable  Jehovah!  Feeble  and  de- 
fenceless as  I  am,  my  Shepherd  is  the  Almighty  God  ! 
His  fulness  shall  supply  me.  lli~  wisdom  Bhall  direct 
me.  His  power  shall  preserve  me.  And  into  his  ever 
lasting  fold  he  shall  receive  me,  fin  the  Lord  is  my 
Shepherd  ! 

4* 


NO   WANT. 


Verse  1. — I  shall  not  want. 

Having  declared  the  joyful  truth  that  t  e  Lord 
was  his  Shepherd,  the  Psalmist  proceeds  tc  describe 
his  own  felicity  as  a  member  of  the  flock.  So  full  is 
his  sense  of  security  and  blessedness,  that  he  stays  not 
to  specify  any  one  particular  form  of  his  innumerable 
mercies,  but  at  once,  by  a  single  and  sententious  neg 
ative,  banishes  every  idea  that  any  real  evil  can  befall 
him,  and  appropriates  to  himself  all  needful  good  ! 

"  I  shall  not  want !"  What  an  amazing  declara- 
tion !  Does  he  deny  that  life  is  a  chequered  scene  ? 
Does  he  not  know  that  riches  take  unto  themselves 
wings  and  ilee  away'.2  Has  he  forgotten  that  even 
conquerors  have  fallen,  and  that  the  mightiest  of  mon- 
arclis  have  begged  their  bread  1  By  no  means.  The 
Psalmist  is  neither  ignorant  nor  forgetful  of  these 
facts  ;  but  his  confidence  in  God  as  his  heavenly  Shep- 
herd, has  raised  him  superior  to  all  fear  of  privation. 
The  changes  and  chances  of  this  uncertain  world  he 
can  calmly  contemplate,  and  yet  exclaim,  "  I  shall  not 
want."  But  on  what  ground,  it  may  be  demanded, 
does  he  base  this  assertion?  We  can  without,  hesita- 
tion reply — "  On  the  surest  of  all  grounds."  Did  he 
not  immediately  before  declare,  "  Tin;  Lord  is  my 
Shepherd?"     And  is  it  not  bo»h  natural  and  appro- 


NO    WANT.  43 

priate  to  add,  u  I  shall  not  want  ?"  Imagine  the  op- 
posite conclusion.  How  absurd,  how  contradictory,  is 
11  to  say,  ••  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  1  shall  be  left 
to  want!"  Surely  the  moel  despondent  of  men  would 
racoil  from  such  a  proposition!  The  statements  it 
contains  arc  destructive  of  each  other! 

Since  then  the  Psalmist  could  affirm  with  truth, 
'•'The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,"  we  must  conclude  that 
he  was  fully  warranted  to  add,  "I  shall  not  warn." 
.Nay,  we  may  take  still  higher  ground,  and  assert  that 
he  was  bound  to  -ay  so!  Is  not  the  Less  included  in 
the  greater '.'  Whether  i-  it  easier  to  find  an  Almighty 
Shepherd  for  the  sheep,  ox  a  little  provision  lor  its  ne- 
cessities? And  does  not  the  \<t\  name  of  shepherd 
imply  that  every  manner  of  care  -hall  be  taken  for 
the  flock?  Oh  blessed  necessity  of&ith!  He  who 
regards  God  as  his  shepherd,  is  under  an  obligation 
to  believe  that  he  will  never  abandon  him!  To  en- 
tertain an\  opposite  sentiment  would  extremely  dis- 
honour bis  Divine  Friend  and  Benefactor! 

The  second  slate nt,  then,  of  this  verse,  i-  a  le- 
gitimate deduction  from  the  fust.  Let  every  believer 
mark  thi<  fact      It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  his 

peace  of  mind  that  he  always  remember  it.     Yea,  to 

all  men  it  is  important.  How  happy  would  every 
child  of  Adam  feel,  were  lie  able  to  say,  "  I  dial!  not 
want!"     Though  his  many  toil-  and  labours  might 

not    cease,    yet   certainly    all    his    fear-    and    anxieties 

would  subside  !     \\  hosoever,  then,  would  desire  to  be 

raised  with  David  above  the  apprehension  of  want. 
must  learn  with  him  to  know  and  to  follow  the  good 
Shepherd,  from  whom  alone  this  securit)  proceeds  I 

\\  hen  the  Psalmist  affirms  that  he  -hall  "  nut  warn." 

he  docs  not  mean  that  prosperity  and  abundance  shall 


/ 


44  NO    WANT. 

for  ever  attend  him.  He  makes  e,o  positive  declara- 
tion of  this  kind.  He  presumes  not  to  determine  what 
his  earthly  lot  shall  be ;  but  his  confidence  in  the  pas- 
toral care  of  God  enables  him  comfortably  to  conclude 
what  it  shall  not  be. — "  I  shall  not  want/'  As  if  he 
had  said,  "  Whatever  may  be  the  troubles  and  diffi- 
culties, the  straits  and  changes,  of  my  future  life,  I 
know  my  heavenly  Shepherd  will  not  withdraw  his 
watchful  care,  nor  withhold  any  blessing  that  shall  be 
really  needful  either  for  my  body  or  for  my  soul !" 

There  are  two  opposite  extremes  in  human  circum- 
stances. On  the  one  hand  there  is  destitution ;  and 
on  the  other  there  is  superfluity.  Each  of  these  is 
attended  by  its  oavii  peculiar  trials  and  temptations. 
The  children  of  God  in  every  age  have  been  taught 
to  deprecate  these  extremes.  How  instructive  is  the 
short  prayer  of  Agur  the  son  of  Jakeh  !  "  Two  things 
have  I  required  of  thee ;  deny  me  them  not  before  1 
die :  remove  far  from  me  vanity  and  lies  :  give  me 
neither  poverty  nor  riches  ;  feed  me  with  food  con- 
venient for  me :  lest  I  be  full,  and  deny  thee,  and  say, 
Who  is  the  Lord  ?  or  lest  I  be  poor,  and  steal,  and 
take  the  name  of  my  God  in  vain,"  Prov.  xxx.  7. 
This  beautiful  prayer  furnishes  us  witli  a  true  expo- 
sition of  this  remarkable  text.  "  I  shall  not  want." 
that  is,  I  may  not  be  always  "  full,"  and  possessed  of 
"riches."  For  these  I  do  not  pray,  lest  I  be  puffed 
up  with  "  vanity,"  and  "  deny"  my  Lord.  But  this  I 
know,  I  shall  not  be  left  to  pining  "  poverty."  My 
Shepherd  will  preserve  me  from  being  tempted  to 
"steal,"  and  to  utter  "lies,"  or  to  "take  the  name  of 
my  God  in  vain  ;"  for  he  will  "  feed  me  with  food 
convenient  for  me"  till  my  dying  day  !  Such  we  ap- 
prehend to  be  the  compass  and  the  import  of  this  dec- 


ku   wavi\  45 

laiation  of  the  Psalmist  He  knew  on  whom  he  re- 
lied. He  was  contented  implicitly  to  follow  in  what- 
ever paths  hi<  Shepherd  led;  for  he  knew  thai  Shep- 
herd's heart  too  well  to  fear  that  he,  would  ever  lead 
him  into  trouble,  and  then  leave  him  destitute  of  help. 
.No  \ain  Belf-confidence,  no  presumptuous  enthusiasm, 
dictated  the  words  of  David  He  piaced  his  whole 
dependance  on  the  spontaneous  good  will  and  sover- 
eign power  of  Him  who  had  condescended  t<>  become  his 
Shepherd.  He  knew  that  his  ability  was  equal  to  his 
inclination  to  provide.  The  strong  confidence  here 
expressed  is  altogether  different  from  that  of  the  man 
who  surveys  bis  large  stores  laid  up  for  man}  years, 
and  then  pours  the  flattering  miction  upon  his  -owl. 
"Take  thine  ease;  eat,  drink,  and  he  merry,"  Luke 
\h.  1'.*.  Neither  does  it  harmonize  in  the  least  de- 
gree \\  ith  the  sentiment  of  those,  u  ho.  iii  the  midst  of 
abundance,  cast  all  prudence  and  forethought  to  the 
winds,  and  seek  to  enhance  their  present  festivity  by 

the  delusive  hope  that  ••  to-morrow  ^hall  he  as  tin-  day, 
and  much  more  ahundant,"  Isa.  hi.  L2.  t  >n  the  con- 
trary, it  is  a  deliberate  and  well-weighed  declaration 
which  the  Psalmist  here  makes.  To  him  it  appears 
no  high  and  difficult  attainment  to  cast  the  burden  of 
his  cares  on  God.  He  feels  it  to  he  equally  his  duty 
and  his  delight  to  do  so.  And  it  is  designed  alike  to 
honour  his  Shepherd,  and  to  gladden  his  own  BOul, 
that  he  here  declares.    ;  I  shall  not  want!*' 

We  ought  not  to  forget  that  -want"  i-  a  compara- 
tive term.    Those  circumstances  which  one  individual 

feels   to   In-   straitened  and    painful.  ma\    hi'  considered 

by  another  as  easy,  and  even  affluent  The  misap- 
plied  term  more  frequently  meets  us  in  the  history  of 

life  than  actual  want  itse.f.     Men  speak  as  the]  feel 


46  NO    WANT. 

One  man,  accustomed  to  little,  may  want  a  single 
pound, — and  another,  habituated  to  abundance,  may 
want  a  thousand  !  Each  may  declare,  and  that  with 
truth,  that  he  is  in  want.  Yet  neither  of  them  may 
be  enduring  real  or  absolute  want.  The  privation 
felt,  may  be  only  comparative  It  may  arise  from 
their  own  over-anxious  desire  to  regain  a  former  posi- 
tion in  society,  or  from  their  restless  ambition  to  be 
exalted  in  the  world.  Thus,  strange  it  is,  a  man 
brings  himself  to  feel,  and  to  speak,  as  if  he  suffered 
want,  while  at  the  same  time  he  is  in  actual  posses- 
sion of  enough  to  satisfy  all  his  necessities !  Pride 
and  ambition  make  men  poor  indeed.  The  children 
of  this  world  grasp  at  shadows,  and  miss  the  true 
riches  of  godly  peace  and  contentment.  The  child  of 
God  must  not  give  place  to  their  feelings.  He  must 
not  allow  himself  to  be  misled  by  the  misapplied 
terms,  the  empty  appearances,  and  the  false  maxims, 
of  "  this  present  evil  world."  He  is  a  stranger  and 
a  pilgrim  on  this  earth,  and  having  "  food  and 
raiment,"  he  must  learn  "  therewith  to  be  content." 
The  Christian  should  understand  that  poverty  is  no 
disgrace.  Our  blessed  Saviour  "  had  not  where  to  lat- 
his head."  His  life  on  earth  has  honoured  and  adorned 
the  poor  man's  lot.  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  always 
poor,  yet  he  never  wanted.  He  lived  on  the  providence 
of  his  heavenly  Father,  and  never,  in  a  single  instance, 
did  he  perform  a  miracle  to  relieve  his  hunger.  The 
believer  in  God  may  be  very  poor  in  this  world's  esti- 
mation, but  yet  in  his  own  he  will  be  rich  indeed,  fot 
he  can  say  with  David,  "  I  shall  not  want" — The  gifts 
which  God  withholds,  I  do  not  wish  to  possess. — The 
gifts  he  gives  are  more  than  I  deserve  ! 

Thus  the  expression  of  tha  Psalmist  refers  not  so 


I 


NO    WANT.  47 

much  to  the  outward  circumstance  as  to  the  inward 

feeling  that  accompanies  it.  lie  who  is  contented 
with  everything  that  is  allotted  to  him,  feels  no  want 
His  portion  may  be  less,  or  it  may  be  more,  than 
Others  enjoy,  bul  still  ii  L8  enough  for  the  present  to  a 
contented  mind.  The  future  is  left  to  God.  "The 
poor  committeth  himself  unto  thee."  In  the  time  of 
need  God  will  deliver.  In  the  moment  of  extremity 
the  Shepherd  will  provide.  And  as  we  journey 
onwards,  hie  wisdom  and  his  bounty  will  supply. 
He  alone  knows  the  amount  that  is  best  (or  us  to  be 
intrusted  with.  And  though  from  day  to  day  he  may 
keep  n-  dependant,  upon  himself,  yet  from  day  to  day 
let  us  go  on  believing  that  he  will  not  fail  us. 

In  the  lowest  and  most  afflicted  condition,  the 
believer  has  been  enabled  by  the  Spirit  of  grace  to 
maintain  a  cheerful  dependance  upon  God.  One  of 
the  poor  members  of  the  flock  of  Christ  was  reduced 
to  circumstances  <>f  the  greatest  poverty  in  his  old  age. 
and  vet  he  aevei  murmured.  "You  must  be  badly 
off,"  said  a  kind-hearted  neighbour  to  him  one  day  as 
they  met  upon  the  mad.  "you  must  be  badly  oil';  and 
I  don't  know  how  an  old  man  like  you  can  maintain 
yourself  and  your  wife  ;  yet  yon  are  always  cheerful  !*' 
"t  Mi.  no!"  he  replied,  "we  arc  not  badly  off.  I  have 
a  rich  Father,  and  he  does  not  sutler  me  to  want." 
"What!  your  father  not  dead  yet!  he  must  be  very 
old  indeed!''  "Oh!"  said  he  "my  Father  never  dies, 
and  he  always  takes  can-  of  me  !"  This  aged  Chris- 
tian  was  a  daily  pensioner  on  the  providence  of  his 
God.  His  strii<_r'_rlr-  and  his  poverty  were  known  to 
all;  but  his  own  declaration  was,  that  he  never  wanted 
what  was  absolutely  necessary.  The  days  of  Ins 
greatest  strait?  were  the  days  of  his  most  signal  and 


48  NO    WANT. 

timely  deliverances.  When  old  age  benumbed  the 
hand  of  his  industry,  the  Lord  extended  to  him  the 
hand  of  charity.  And  often  has  he  gone  forth  from 
his  scanty  breakfast,  not  knowing  from  what  earthly 
source  his  next  meal  was  to  be  obtained.  But  yet 
with  David  he  could  rely  on  his  Shepherd's  care,  and 
say,  "  I  shall  not  want  ;"•  and  as  certainly  as  he  trusted 
in  God,  so  surely,  in  some  unexpected  manner,  was 
his  necessity  supplied. 

The  Lord  demands  our  confidence.  "  Have  faith  in 
God."  Who  ever  trusted  in  him  and  was  forsaken  1 
Unbelief  deprives  us  of  his  blessings.  When  we  doubt 
our  Shepherd's  care,  no  marvel  that  the  evil  we  greatly 
fear  comes  upon  us.  It  is  written,  "  He  did  not  many 
mighty  works  there,  because  of  their  unbelief,"  Matt, 
xiii.  58.  It  is  a  noble  act  of  faith  to  say,  "  I  shall  not 
want."  God  honours  that  confidence  which  honours 
him.  He  answers  it  with  blessings.  "  Thou  meetest 
him  that  rejoiceth  and  worketh  righteousness,  those 
that  remember  thee  in  thy  ways,"  Isa.  lxiv.  5.  Oh 
animating  thought !  the  Father  in  heaven  responding 
to  his  earthly  child  !  the  great  God  meeting  his  feeble 
creature  !  Often,  and  strikingly,  has  this  been  verified 
in  the  experience  of  the  believing  poor.  The  long- 
tried  and  consistent  piety  of  the  afflicted  wife  of  a  poor 
labourer,  had  attracted  the  regard  of  her  wealthier 
neighbours.  She  was  one  of  those  happy  Christians, 
whose  holy  cheerfulness  of  manner  adorn  their  pro- 
fession of  the  gospel.  She  "  rejoiced,"  and  "  wrought 
righteousness,"  and  "remembered  the  Lord  in  his 
ways."  She  had  gained  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  her, 
and  now  that  a  slow  but  sure  decline  rendered  her  inca- 
pable of  contributing  to  her  support,  some  pious  friends 
agreed  together  to  provide  her  regularly  with  those 


Ml     WANT.  49 

little  comforts  which  were  so  necessary  to  her  sinking 
condition.  The  Lord  thus  mel  her  necessity  by  their 
instrumentality.  But  shfi  knew  not  thru  he  had 
awakened  this  thought  within  the  hearts  of  any  of 
them.  Her  own  was  stayed  upon  the  heart  of  her 
God.  \--  Bhe  stood  one  afternoon  in  her  humble  door- 
w  i\  to  breathe  the  balmy  air,  she  observed  three  ob- 
jects of  misery  soliciting  alms  in  the  street.  I  fer  heart 
pitied  the  famished  mother  and  her  two  tattered  chil- 
dren ;  but  all  the  money  that  she  possessed  was  her 
lasl  and  only  sixpence,  livery  article  of  provision  in 
the  house  had  Keen  already  consumed.  Without  de- 
lay or  hesitation,  however,  she  drew  from  her  pocket 
the  little  coin  which  was  needed  for  her  own  necessities, 
and  freely  bestowed  it  on  the  widow  and  the  fatherless. 
She  considered  that  all  her  own  warn-  for  the  daj  had 
been  supplied,  and  that  she  ought  nol  to  be  distrustful 
for  the  morrow.  "I  have  a  heavenly  Friend,"  she. 
said  within  herself,  "to  provide  for  me;  and.  perhaps, 
thi<  poor  woman  does  not  know  the  God  thai  is  above.— 
I  have  no  one  to  think  of;  Bhe  has  these  two  children 
to  struggle  for.— J  know  my  own  need,  but  the]  are 
more  needy  than  me!"  That  \er\  evening  the  indi- 
vidual deputed  by  her  unknown  friends,  visited  her 
dwelling  to  inform  her  of  their  kind  determination; 
and  great  was  her  astonishment  and  gratitude,  to  hear 

that  a  sum  double  the  amount  she  ha. I  that  day  f 

to  the  poor  wanderers,  was  t()  be  her  daily  allowance 
during  the  remainder  of  hei  life.  It  pleased  the  ; 
to  -pare  her  for  two  year-,  a-  Bhe  declared,  -in  plenty 
and  comfort  :"  thus  making  her  a  living  testimony  to 
the  faithfulness  of  the  Scripture  declaration,  -Thou 
meetesl  him  her)  that  rejoiceth,  and  worketh  righteous 
ncss:   those  that  remember  the* 


50  NO    WANT. 

-  To  trust  in  Goi\  resting  satisfied  with  his  allot- 
ments, is  the  true  secret  of  christian  happiness.  A 
contented  mind  has  a  continual  feast.  Even  i  worldly 
man,  by  calm  contentment,  enjoys  peace  and  tran- 
quillity in  those  circumstances  which  piove  distressing 
to  others  of  an  opposite  disposition.  He  is  evidently  a 
gainer  over  them.  But  when  contentment  is  joined 
with  godliness  it  is  "  great  gain."  "  We  brought  no- 
thing into  this  world,"  says  the  Apostle,  "  and  it  is 
certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out :  and  having  food 
and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  content,"  1  Tim.  vi. 
7,  8.  The  good  Shepherd  appoints  to  each  of  his  flock 
their  proper  quantity  and  quality  of  pasture.  The 
sheep  must  leave  all  things  to  the  judgment  of  their 
Shepherd.  We  assume  his  office,  we  make  ourselves 
our  own  God,  when  we  say,  or  think,  that  we  ought 
to  have  nwe  health,  more  wealth,  more  honour,  more 
enjoyments,  than  are  allotted  to  us.  If  we  would  not 
be  infidels,  we  must  believe  that  not  a  hair  of  our 
head  falls  to  the  ground  without  the  permission  of 
God  !  Nothing  can  happen  to  the  believer  in  this 
present  life  which  is  not  regulated  by  unerring  wis- 
dom. It  is  not  God's  allotment,  but  our  own  dissatis- 
faction, that  is  the  true  cause  of  much  of  our  disqui- 
etude. The  fearful,  anxious,  Christian  would  do  well 
to  demand  of  himself  what  the  Saviour  meant,  when 
he  assumed  the  title  of  a  "Shepherd,''  yea,  of  a  '-good 
Shepherd."  Did  he  not  thereby  declare  both  bis  abil- 
ity and  his  willingness  to  fulfil  all  the  duties  of  that 
office  ?  To  call  Christ  our  Shepherd,  and  not  to  be- 
lieve that  he  will  provide  for  us—  to  doubt  whether  he 
will  be  near  us  in  troubles — to  fear  Lest  be  may  leave 
us  to  want,  and  not  defend  us  in  dangers,  are  so  many 
contradictions.     Our  lips  affirm  that  he  is  our  Shep- 


ttt   want.  51 

herd,  but  our  doubCa  and  fears,  our  misgivings  and 
tumefies,  declare  that  lie  is  notour  Shepherd.  Wa 
speak  indeed,  as  if  lie  were  our  friend,  but  we  feel  and 
live  and  act  as  if  Ms  friendship  wen-  not  real!  The 
lurking  distrust  we  entertain,  accuses  this  Shepherd  of 
insincerity  and  imtaithfulness,  in  undertaking  an  office, 
the  duties  of  which  he  i<  not  careful  to  fulfil.  Flee 
then,  0  Christian,  from  Buch  impiety  and  wickedness. 
Put  away all  anxious  doubts  and  fears.  Banish  every 
thought  arfd  feeling  which  sets  thee  in  opposition  to 
thy  Shepherd.  Cultivate  contentment.  Subdue  co- 
vetousuess.  Abhor  murmuring  and  fretfulness.  Be 
satisfied  with  thy  lot.  Set  not  thy  heart  upon  an 
earthly  portion,  bul  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and 
hi-;  righteousness,  and  all  things  needful  for  thee  shall 
be  added  unto  thee. 

When  the  Psalmist  affirmed,  (<  I  shall  not  want," 
Ins  best  affections  were  withdrawn  from  the  glittering 
toys  of  a  perishing  world.  God  had  given  him  great 
and  unexpected  exaltation,  yet  he  sought  uot  great 
things  for  himself.  Though  the  youngest  of  the  Bons 
of  Jesse,  he  had  been  called  from  attending  the  flocks 
of  his  father,  to  be  the  deliverer  of  bis  king  and 
country.  Hut  amidst  all  the  pump  and  Bplendour 
with  which  he  was  welcomed  at  the  court  of  Saul,  it 
wa-  his  highest  ambition  to  remain  within  the  fold  of 
the  shepherd  of  Israel,  and  to  share  in  the  portion 
of  his  u  little  flock."  Choosing  thus  tl better  por- 
tion/' he  knew  that  it  -hoiild  not  be  taken  away 
from  him.  He  felt  convinced  that  whatever  gifts  or 
graces,  temporal  benefits,  or  spiritual  blessings,  were 

OSSentia]    to    his    welfare,    would    he    freely    best! 

upon  him.     He  committed  all  bis  desire-  lo  God  by 
prayer:  and  he  left  all  his  concern-  to  him  by  faith. 


52  NO   WANT. 

He  was  willing  to  be,  whatever  God  willed  that  he 
should  be.     If  poverty  was  appointed,   he  would  not 
seek  riches  ;  if  wealth  were  destined  for  him,  he  would 
not  wish  for  the  reverse.     He  felt  willing  to  be  ele- 
vated or  depressed  in  worldly  estimation,  as  might  be 
most  conducive  to  the  glory  of  his  God.     This  is  the 
blessed  state  of  feeling   which   all   Christians  ought 
incessantly  to  aim  after.     It  is  the  privileged  position 
of  the  people  of  God.     None  can  attain  to  it  but  the 
children  of  faith.      Trust   in    God,    is    an   unfailing 
source  of  happiness  in  all,  and  in  spite  of  all,  outward 
circumstances.     Prosperity  does  not  overjoy,  and  ad- 
versity cannot  overwhelm,  the  true  believer.     t;Not 
that  I  speak  in  respect  of  want,"  says  the  Apostle, 
"  for  I  have  learned,  in  whatsoever  state  I  am,  there- 
with to  be  content.     I  know  both  how  to  be  abased, 
and  I  know  how  to  abound :  everywhere,  and  in  all 
things,    I  am    instructed  both  to  be  full,  and  to  be 
hungry,  both  to  abound  and  to  suffer  need.     I  can  do 
all  things  through  Christ  which  strengtheneth  me," 
Phil.  iv.  11—13. 

Alas!  how  many  are  there  who  repudiate  this 
example  of  the  Apostle  !  They  have  not  learned,  and 
they  are  not  willing  to  learn,  contentment  in  what- 
soever state  they  are.  They  would  know  how  to 
abound,  but  they  refuse  to  learn  how  to  be  abased. 
They  vainly  persuade  themselves  that  they  shall  be 
more  happy,  more  free  to  serve  God,  if  only  they  pos- 
sessed somewhat  more  of  this  world's  goods.  They 
desire  to  be  richer  than  God  has  made  them.  But 
the  Scriptures  of  truth  have  given  us  this  faithful 
warning,  "  They  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  tempta- 
tion and  a  snare,  and  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful 
lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  perdition. 


NO   WANT.  53 

For  the  love  of  money  is  the  ^or  a)  root  of  ill  evil: 
which  while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from 
the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  yS 
Borrows.  But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things ; 
and  follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love, 
patience,  meekness,"  1  Tim.  vi.  9 — ill.  These  con- 
stitute the  true  riches.  They  are  the  soul's  wealth ; 
increasing  in  their  use,  and  unfading  in  their  nature. 
Upon  the  acquisition  of  such  treasure,  do  human 
heart  can  be  too  inordinately  set  Their  possession 
injures  not,  but  blesses.  Covetousness  is  here  tr 
formed  into  a  virtue.  But  the  inordinate  desire  of 
tliis  world's  riches  is  sinful  in  itself,  and  productive  of 
'•all  manner  <>i"  evil."  The  Scripture  injunctions  on 
this  subject  are  decisive.  "Love  Dot  the  world,  nei- 
ther the  things  that  are  in  the  world,  [f  any  man 
love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him. 
For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of  the  il<--h.  and 
the  lust  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not  of  the 
Father,  but  is  of  the  world."  1  John  ii.  15,  16. 

To  be  raised  above  the  tear  of  want  by  committing 
ourselves  to  the  care  of  the  good  Shepherd,  or  by 
placing  our  confidence  in  worldly  property,  are  two 
distinct  and  very  opposite  things.  Tb  •  confidence  in 
the  former  case,  appears  to  th<*  natural  man  to 
hard  and  difficult,  ii'  not  unreasonable  and  impossible  : 
in  the  latter  it  appears  to  be  natural,  easy,  and  consis- 
tent It  requires,  however,  no  Lengthened  argument 
to  prove  that  he  who  relies  on  the  promise  ol  God 
for  the  supply  of  bis  temporal  want-,  possesses  an 
infinitely  greater  security,  than  the  individual  who 
confides  in  his  accumulated  wealth.  The  abl  si  finan- 
ciers admit  that  there  must  be  appended  to  their  ] 
choice  investments,  this  felt  or  expressed  proviso— "Si 


' 


54  NO    WANT. 

far  as  human  affairs  can  be  secure."  Indeed  the  mu- 
tability of  all  earthly  conditions  so  forces  itself  upon 
the  minds  of  men,  that  it  is  made  the  basis  of  their 
wisest  speculations.  He  who  calculates  the  changes 
of  life  most  accurately,  is  esteemed  the  most  saga- 
cious. And  the  man  who  best  guards  himself  against 
loss,  is  regarded  as  the  most  prudent.  Insurance 
against  the  uncertainties  of  the  world  in  which  we 
live,  is  an  established  business ;  and,  beyond  every 
other,  exercises  the  calculation,  the  forethought,  and 
the  intellectual  powers  of  man. 

Since  then  no  absolute  security  against  want  can  be 
found  on  earth,  it  necessarily  follows,  that  he  who 
trusts  in  God  is  the  most  wise  and  prudent  man.  Who 
dare  deny  that  the  promise  of  the  living  God  is  an 
absolute  security?  Hear  what  gracious  declarations 
are  scattered  everywhere  throughout  his  holy  word ! 
"  Behold  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them  that  fear 
him,  upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy  :  to  deliver 
their  soul  from  death,  and  to  keep  them  alive  in 
famine,"  Psa.  xxxiii.  19.  "  O  fear  the  Lord  ye  his 
saints,  for  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear  him.  The 
young  lions  do  lack  and  suffer  hunger,  but  they  that 
seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good  thing,"  Psa. 
xxxiv.  9,  10.  "Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good;  so 
shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily  thou  shalt  be 
fed,"  Psa.  xxxvii.  3.  "Let  your  conversation  be 
without  co vetousness  ;  and  be  content  with  such  things 
as  ye  have:  for  he  hath  said,  I  will  never  leave  thee 
nor  forsake  thee  :  so  that  we  may  boldly  say,  the  Lord 
is  my  helper,  and  I  will  not  fear  what  man  shall  do 
unto  me,"  Hob.  xiii.  5,  6.  "  In  Ohrisl  Jesus  the  prom- 
ises of  God  are  all  yea  and  amen,"  2  Cor.  i-  20.  The 
good  Shepherd  has  ratified  them  to  his  flock.     He  hag 


NO    WANT.  55 

called  upon  it-  poorest  and  feeblest  members  to  trust 
in  God,  and  baa  encouraged  each  of  them  to  exercise 
habitually  an  unwavering  faith  and  Bay,  "  1  -hall  act 

waul." 

When  the  believer  is  tempted  to  give  way  to  distru  t- 
ful  thoughts,  lei  him  turn  to  the  sixth  chapter  of  St 
Matthew's  gospel,  and  mark  In-  Saviour's  word-  of 
strong  encouragement.  ( 'an  language  be  more  simple, 
or  declarations  more  plain?  What  clearer  arguments, 
or  stronger  assurances,  would  man  require  .'  V>  hat 
hesitation  tan  there  be  in  answering  these  five  inter- 
rogations !  -  Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat  .'-  -  I-  not 
the  body  more  than  raiment  ?  Ajeyenot  much  better 
thanthe  fowls  of  the  air.'  -Who  bj  taking  thought 
can  add  one  cubit  to  his  stature?  [f  God  so  richly 
clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  shall  he  do!  much  more 
clothe  you?"  These  five  interrogations  put  every 
doubt  to  shame,  and  reduce  every  cavil  to  an  absurd- 
ity. Be  not  then  driven  about,  O  ( Ihristian,  with  earth-" 
worn  care-.  I  <et  doubts  and  fears,  and  anxious  thoughts, 
ttee  away  as  mists  before  the  risen  sun.  Lei  these 
tiin])!"    (acts     these   every-day  truths — that  you   are 

alive — that  you  have  a  body — that  the  birds  of  the  air 
around  you  are  supplied  with  food — and  that  the  grass 
and  (lowers  beneath  your  feet  are  clothed  with  loveli- 
be  arguments  and  tokens  to  you  of  the  love,  the 
wisdom,  and  the  resources,  of  that  God  who  will  also 
supply  you  with  food,  and  cover  you  with  raiment. 
The  blessed  Saviour  has  positively  affirmed  that  oiu 
heavenly  father  knoweth  that  we  have  ueed  of  .-ill 
these  things.  How  conclusive  is  the  arguraenl  winch 
he    grounds  upou   that    fact!     "Take    therefore    no 

thought,  saying,  what  shall  we  ea!  .'  or  v.  let  -hall  we 

drink  ?  or  wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed  "  vet.  31. 


56  NO    WANT. 

His  meaning  is,  not  that  we  should  take  "  no  thought," 
no  interest  whatever ;  but,  as  the  Greek  term  more 
properly  instructs  us,  that  we  should  take  "no  anxious 
thought" — harbour  no  harassing,  distracting,  thoughts, 
which  disturb  our  communion  with  God,  or  hinder  us 
in  the  calm  and  diligent  discharge  of  daily  duty. 
Suffer  not  then,  O  afflicted  Christian,  the  loss  of  wealth 
to  entail  also  the  loss  of  faith  and  trust  in  God,  the 
loss  of  serenity  and  contentment  of  spirit.  Be  master 
over  yourself,  if  3*011  cannot  be  master  over  your  cir- 
cumstances. Bend  your  will  to  your  condition,  or  your 
condition  will  bend  it  against  God  ! 

We  have  spoken  chiefly  of  temporal  blessings,  but 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist  are  inclusive  also  of  those 
of  a  spiritual  nature.  As  the  following  verses  of  the 
psalm  will  bring  these  immediately  under  our  atten- 
tion, it  seemed  necessary  here  to  enlarge  on  the  too 
much  neglected  fact,  that  the  character  of  a  shepherd, 
in  which  God  has  graciously  revealed  himself,  furnishes 
an  assurance  to  his  people  that  their  temporal  neces- 
sities shall  be  provided  for.  A  strange  incongruity 
exists  in  the  professing  church  in  reference  to  this 
subject.  Many  appear  to  be  able  to  trust  God  with 
their  spiritual  interests,  who  yet  do  not  confide  in  him 
for  the  supply  of  their  bodily  wants.  We  hear  them 
declare  that  they  look  to  God  for  the  forgiveness  of 
their  sins,  the  sanctification  of  their  natures,  and  the 
salvation  of  their  souls;  but  that  they  cannot  exercise 
the  same  faith  in  reference  to  their  daily  bread,  or  their 
own  and  their  families'  temporal  welfare.  This  i-  an 
unhealthy  state  of  heart.  The  real  difficulty  ought 
to  lie  in  trusting  God  for  eternal  blessings,  which  are 
in  themselves  so  precious,  and  are,  at  the  same  time, 
so  unattainable  by  human  agency.     A  little  industry 


NO     WANT.  57 

can  more  readily  pro  ide  food  and  raiment  for  the  body, 
than  our  religious  exercises  can  adorn  the  soul  with 
peace  and  holiness.  Great  then  may  be  our  delusion. 
We  may  regard  that  as  our  faith,  and  trust  in  God, 
which  is  in  fact  only  credulity  or  indifference.  The 
wants  of  the  soul  arc  not  so  keenly  and  so  quickly  felt 
as  are  those  of  the  hod}-.  Spiritual  blessings  an-  more 
dim  and  distant  to  our  apprehension.  Do  we  hunger 
and  thirst  after  righteousness,  with  as  great  intensity 
as  we  desire  the  meat  that  j »«-ri~l n  t ! i  .'  V\  ho  constantly 
and  decidedly  prefer  to  he  endowed  with  lowliness  of 
mind,  purity  of  thought,  gentleness  of  disposition,  and 
tenderness  of  conscience,  rather  than  with  gold  and 
silver,  with  food  and  raiment'.'  If  thru  the  thin 
the  world  and  the  flesh  In-  regarded  as  more  indispen- 
than  the  things  of  heaven  and  the  soul,  no 
marvel  that  men  imagine  it  easier  to  exercise  faith  as 
to  their  spiritual,  than  as  to  their  temporal,  want-.  It 
i-  a  '/reat  mistake,  however,  to  call  it  faith.  It  is  pre- 
sumption as  to  things  temporal,  and  indifference  to 
things  eternal.  To  trust  God  only  lor  those  things  in 
which  we  ourselves  are  least  interested,  is  in  reality 
not  to  trust  him  at  all.  Such  a  state  of  mind  origi- 
nates  in  ignorance  of  God  as  a  father  and  a-  a  Shep- 
herd. A  father's  care  extends  alike  to  the  l««ul\  and 
to  the  soul  of  his  child.  A  shepherd's  care  includes 
all  the  wants  and  interests  of  his  flock.  That  heav- 
enly Father  who  has  given  to  as  a  body  and  a  bouI, 
does  he  not  delight  to  care  for  both  .'  Oh  !  certainly, 
beyond  all  question,  the  love  of  God  embraces  all  <>nr 
wants.  His  fatherly  heart  sympathizes  both  in  the 
corporal  and  the  spiritual  necessities  of  hi-  children. 
And  surely  it  can  only  he  from  ignorance  of  him  as 
our  Shepherd,  and  frcm  fbrgetfulneas  of  what  he  ha9 


58  NO    WANT. 

done  and  suffered  on  our  behalf,  that  any  member  of 
his  flock  can  be  deprived  of  the  happiness  which  David 
experienced  when  he  said,  in  reference  to  his  temporal 
and  his  spiritual  necessities,  "  I  shall  not  want." 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer !  He  can 
look  upward  and  exclaim,  "  I  shall  not  want"  — for  the 
Lord  Jehovah  is  my  Shepherd  !  He  who  sits  on  the 
right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high,  and  to  whom  all 
power  in  heaven  and  earth  belongs,  invites  me  to  re- 
pose with  confidence  in  His  care ;  and  promises  to 
provide  whatsoever  may  be  necessary  for  my  body 
and  for  my  soul,  for  my  support  in  time,  and  for  my 
happiness  in  eternity ! 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer !  He  can 
look  downward  and  exclaim,  "  I  shall  not  want !" 
This  earth  on  which  I  tread  is  full  of  the  goodness  of 
the  Lord.  He  clothes  these  fields  with  beauty,  and 
covers  them  with  abundance.  He  provides  for  the 
fowls  of  the  air,  for  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  for  the  beasts 
of  the  field,  and  for  the  meanest  of  creeping  things. 
This  rich  Provider  for  the  whole  creation,  will  much 
more  certainly  provide  for  me,  his  intelligent  and  re- 
deemed creature  ! 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer  !  He  can 
look  inward  and  exclaim,  "  I  shall  not  want !"  He 
who  has  kindled  hi  my  soul  these  new  and  heavenly 
desires ;  who  has  taught  me  to  abhor  sin  and  to  hun- 
ger after  righteousness ;  who  has  inclined  me  by  his 
Spirit  to  love  his  name,  to  delight  in  his  service,  and 
to  sigh  for  greater  conformity  to  his  image,  will  per- 
fect that  which  concerneth  me,  and  will  abundantly 
satisfy  every  holy  aspiration  of  my  heart ! 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer !  He  can 
look  backward  and  exclaim,  "  I  shall  not  want !"    In- 


KO    WANT.  59 

significant  and  unworthy  as  I  was,  the  good  Shepherd 
sought    ray  lost   and  wandering  soul. 
and  aggravated  as  were  my  trespasses    he  Bhed  his 
precious  blood  to  secure  for  in*;  a  full  and  fre< 

I  !i<  Spirit  deigned  to  \  isil  my  thou 
His  providence  has  strengthened  my  weakness,  and 
supplied  my  wants  ever  since   i  was  born:  and  insig- 
nificant and  unworthy  though  1  still  run.  He  will  uot 
fail  in  strengthen  and  to  supply  me  in  every  time  ol 

need  ! 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer!  He  can 
look  forward  and  exclaim,  ••  I  Bhall  uot  want  !"  P 
ing  as  my  necessities  may  become — irksome  and  man- 
ifold as  may  be  the  duties  to  which  I  shall  be  called  — 
painful,  complicated,  and  prolonged,  as  may  prove  the 
trials  that,  await  me,  my  Shepherd  has  promised  that 
"aa  my  day  is  so  my  strength  shall  be."  He  enables 
me  with  calmness  to  contemplate  the  vicissitudes  <>t" 
time,  the  solemnities  of  death,  and  the  responsibilities 
of  judgment  ;  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  shall  be  my  friend 
in  every  vicissitude — that  Friend  shall  be  my  Shep- 
herd through  the  dark  valley — that  Shepherd  -hall  be 
my  Judge  in  the  awful  day  and  that  Judge  shall 
pronounce  my  everlasting  acquittal :  nor  mine  alone; 

but  for  all  those  also  \\  ho  love  Id-  appearing  he  shall 
say,  •■  For  these  my  brethren,  I  died.  Their  sins  are 
blotted  out  by  my  olood.  Their  persons  are  justified 
through  my  righteousness.  Their  Minis  are  sanctified 
by  my  Spirit  Uome,  ye  blessed  children  of  m\  F 
ther :  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the 
beginning  <>[  the  world  !" 

Happy  and  blessed  is  the  true  believer!  He  can 
look  onward  for  ever  and  exclaim,  "  I  BB  LLL  not 
want!"     He  soars  in  thought  above  the  horizon  of 


60  NO    WANT. 

men.  With  eagle  eye  he  looks  down  the  vista  of  time, 
to  gaze  upon  the  glories  which  surround  the  threshold 
of  eternity.  He  beholds  by  faith  the  advent  of  his 
Lord — the  splendour  of  the  attendant  seraphs — the 
resurrection  of  the  sleeping,  and  the  transfiguration  of 
the  living,  saints — their  spiritual,  glorified,  and  immor- 
tal, bodies — the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem — the  innumerable  company  of  angels — the 
reign  of  universal  righteousness — the  kingdom  of 
peace,  and  purity,  and  power— and  the  effulgent  pres- 
ence of  Him  at  whose  right  hand  is  fulness  of  joy  and 
pleasures  for  evermore  !  He  contemplates  with  de- 
light the  removal  of  all  sin, — the  subjugation  of  every 
enemy, — the  delivering  up  of  the  kingdom  to  the  Fa- 
ther,— and  God  all  in  all !  Thus,  onward  and  on- 
ward, can  the  believer  gaze,  and  exclaim  with  won- 
der, and  gratitude,  and  adoration,  "  I  shall  never 
want  !" — The  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  my  Shepherd — the 
ransomed  flock  shall  be  my  companies- — heaven  shall 
be  my  fold — and  God  himself  sihall  '..-  my  portion,  foi 
ever  and  for  evermore  ! 


GREEN   PASTURES. 


Verse  2. — He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green 
pastures. 

What  a  beautiful  picture  is  here  presented  to  our 
view!  The  active  care,  and  generous  kindness,  of  a 
provident  Shepherd,  and  the  posture  and  the  pasture, 
of  ;i  happy  Sock  are  Btrikingly  portrayed  !  The 
Luxuriant  herbage  to  which  he  had  conducted  them, 
has  abundantly  satisfied  their  desires;  and  now.  be- 
neath a  refreshing  shade  in  the  midsl  ol  it,  he  has  in- 
vit"d  them  to  repose  !  There  is  the  Shepherd  faith- 
fully guarding  his  dock  !  and  there  are  hi-  Bheep 
peacefully  resting,  without  any  Bensation  <>f  want  to 
annoy,  and  quirt  I  \  reclining  without  any  feai  of  dan- 
ger to  disturb!  The  flock  is  in  the  height  of  enjoy- 
ment! And  the  pious  Psalmist,  aa  if  gazing  upon  the 
Bcene,  r<  iour  in  this  Bhepherd,  and 

himself  ;  a  a  member  of  his  flock,  and  a 
I'  rtaker  of  its  happiness.  With  fervent  gratitude  he 
thus  acknowledges  ti  the  undeserved,  good- 

ness of  his  Shepherd  towards  him.  ■•  1  !•■  maketh  me  to 
lie  down  in  green  pastures  !" 

It  was  th,n  no  empty  boast  which  David  utl 

when  he  affirmed,  "I  shall  not  want.'-     II--  knew  the 

love  and  rich  resources  of  his  heavenly  Shepherd.    He 

felt  convinced    that    the   good    Pastoi    not   only  under- 

~  61 


62  GREEN     PASTURES. 

stood  what  provision  was  necessary  for  his  flock ;  but 
also  that  he  always  supplied  them  in  the  most  abun- 
dant manner.  And  now  he  declares  that  he  had 
already  brought  him  into  the  full  enjoyment  of  those 
spiritual  privileges,  which  nourish  and  sustain  his  soul, 
so  that  he  can  compare  himself  to  a  sheep  lying  down 
in  "green  pastures."  In  the  marginal  translation 
these  are  called  "  pastures  of  tender  grass  :"  and,  in  the 
language  of  the  original,  they  are  expressively  de- 
scribed as  "  pastures  of  budding  grass."  It  is  not  to  a 
field  of  dry  and  withered  herbage— a  pasture  of  decay- 
ing stubble — that  The  Good  Shepherd  conducts  his 
flock.  On  the  contrary,  his  pastures  are  fresh  and 
green  ;  they  are  tender  and  ever-budding  ! 

By  this  instructive  metaphor,  the  Psalmist  would 
describe  to  us  the  fulness  and  richness  of  spiritual  pro- 
vision, which  his  soul  enjoyed  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Lord  Jehovah.  His  attentive  superintendence ; 
his  ever-liberal,  ever-active,  kindness,  are  gratefully 
acknowledged  by  these  words,  "He  maketh  me :"  as 
if  he  had  said,  "But  for  my  Shepherd's  care  I  could 
not  have  found  this  pasturage :  But  for  his  goodness 
and  protection  I  could  neither  enjoy  its  sweetness,  nor 
lie  down  in  its  abundance  !"  The  pasture  he  says  is 
u  green  and  budding,"  that  is,  it  is  fresh  and  unfailing 
in  its  nature,  rich,  and  good,  and  tender  in  its  quality. 
By  the  posture  of  "lying  down"  therein,  he  represents' 
the  rest  and  satisfaction,  the  safety  and  the  peace, 
which  he  experienced ;  and  teaches  us  that  the  quan- 
tity of  the  pasture  is  more  than  sufficient  for  all  the 
members  of  the  ilock. 

The  spiritual  pastures,  in  which  the  nourishment  of 
the  sheep  of  the  good  Shepherd  is  contained,  are  the 
word  of  Cod,  and  the  ordinances  of  bis  gra:e.     These 


GREEN    PASTURES.  G3 

are  admirably  adapted   to  their  e lit  ion  and  theii 

want-'.  Aa  lender  grass  i-  suited  t"  nourish  and  Bus- 
tain  the  natural  life  of  tin-  Bheep,  bo  are  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  and  the  sen  ices  of  n  ligion,  peculiar!)  fitted 
to  preserve  and  to  Btr(  Qgthen  the  life  of  our  bouIs. 

The  field  of  Scripture  truth  is  indeed  a  green  and 
ample  pasturage!  How  fresh  and  pleasant!  How 
rich  and  varied!  How  suitable  and  how  satisfying! 
\<  food  is  to  the  body,  so  is  truth  to  the  spirit,  of  man. 
The  wmil  of  God   is  the  only  depositary  of  eternal 

truth:    and    the    blessed    Saviour    has    declared    ili.it 

'•man  li\eth  not  by  bread  only,  but  by  every  word 
thai  proceeded]  <>ut  of  the  mouth  of  God,"  Matt.  iv.  1. 
Separated  from  truth,  every  created  spirit  sinks  in 
moral  death.  'The  great  adversary  of  God  and  man  i- 
not  only  thus  dead  himself,  hut  is  the  cause  of  similar 
death  thereby  to  others.  "He  was  a  murderer  from 
the  beginning,"  -aid  our  I. mil  to  the  Jews,  "and 
abode  not  in  the  truth,  because  there  is  no  truth  in 
him.  W  hen  he  speaketh  a  lie.  he  speaketh  of  his 
own:  for  he  i<  a  liar,  and  the  father  of  it."  John  viii. 
•1 1.  To  counteract  the  Boul-destroying  lie  of  Satan,  is 
the  grand  object  of  the  Scriptures.  As  light  to  dark- 
ness. ;i-  medicine  to  disease,  a--  the  antidote  to  poison, 
as  life  to  death,  SO  i-  the  truth  of  God  to  tin-  lie 
of  Satan.  "The  word-  that  1  speak  unto  you,"  said 
our  Lord,  "they  are  spirit  and  they  are  life."  John  vi. 
63.  "The  excellency  of  knowledge  i-.  that  wisdom 
giveth  life  to  them  that  have  it."  Eccles.  \ii.  12. 
■•  \nd  this  is  life  eternal  to  know  thee,  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  ('hrist  whom  lie  hath  Bent," 
John  xvii.  3. 

The  knowledge  of  the  God  of  truth,  i-  nowhere  to 
he  found  hr'  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth      "Search  tho 


64  (■  "MLEN    PASTURES. 

Scriptures,"  taid  our  Lord,  "  for  in  them  ye  think  ye 
have  eternal  life,  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of 
me,"  John  v.  39.  The  holy  Bible  alone  is  able  to 
make  us  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,  2  Tim.  iii.  17.  What  book  is  there  in 
the  whole  compass  of  human  learning,  which  can  con- 
fer the  same  transcendent  "blessing  ?  In  the  hemis- 
phere of  literature,  the  Bible  is  the  sun,  and  the 
writings  of  men  shine  forth  out  of  darkness  only  by 
the  reflection  of  its  rays  !  The  writings  of  the  olden 
divines  abound  with  most  glowing  eulogiums  of  the 
sacred  Scriptures.  "The  holy  Bible,"  says  one.  "  is  a 
spiritual  paradise,  and  the  book  of  Psalms  is  the  tree 
of  life  in  the  midst !"  Others  exclaim,  ';  the  Psalms 
are  a  jewel-cluster,  made  up  of  the  gold  of  doctrine, 
the  pearls  of  comfort,  and  the  gems  of  prayer !"  "  The 
holy  Scriptures  are  God's  treasure-house ;  wherein  are 
found  all  things  needful  for  us  to  see,  to  hear,  to  learn, 
and  to  believe,  necessary  for  the  attainment  of  eternal 
life !"  "  In  the  holy  Scriptures  are  doctrines  most 
divine — prophecies  most  certain — laws  most  holy,  just, 
and  good — covenants  betwixt  God  and  man  most 
gracious — promises  most  precious — privileges  most  am- 
ple— providences  most  wonderful — ordinances  most 
comfortable  and  soul  reviving:  here  whatsoever  is 
taught  is  truth — whatsoever  is  commanded  is  good — 
whatsoever  is  promised  is  happiness!"  "What  shall 
we  add  in  commendation  of  this  holy  book?  It  is  the 
tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good,  without  any  admixture 
of  evil.  It  is  as  the  tree  of  life,  bearing  twelve  man- 
ner of  fruits,  and  the  leaves  thereof  are  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations.  It  is  a  garden  of  the  most  lovely 
flowers,  and  the  most  delicious  fruits.  The  holy  Bible 
is  the  well  of  truth,  and  faith  is  tbe  vessel  that  draws 


GREEN    PAST  DEES.  6.) 

up  : :s  refreshing  waters,  li  is  a  minor,  in  which  we 
behold  the  Almighty  God  in  his  beloved  Son,  as  the 
forgiver  of  sin,  and  the  reconciler  of  sinners  !  In  these 
Scriptures  alone  are  to  be  found  the  most  perfect  truth 
— the  sm  est  promises  the  most  gracious  invitations  - 
and  the  wisest  counsels!  Here  are  praises  without 
flattery — reproofs  without  asperity — and  love  that 
knows  no  change!  Here  are  histories  without  false- 
Is — records  without  mistakes  —and  memoirs  with- 
out partialities!  "The  words  of  the  Lord  are  pure 
words;  as  silver  tried  in  a  furnace  of  earth,  and  puri- 
fied seven  times,"  Psa.  \ii.  <».  The  volume  of  truth 
is  the  "field,"  wherein  that  '-hidden  treasure"  lies, 
which  is  infinitely  more  desirable  than  the  largest 
stores  of  corn  and  w  me,  more  valuable  than  the  richest 
mine-  of  gold  and  silver,  or  the  most  precious  stones. 
Here  are  treasures  of  mere]  and  grace  —treasures  <>t' 
pardon  and  peace  and  treasures  of  love  and  joy  ! 
Here  are  irea  ore-  oj'  wisdom  and  Btrength  treasures 
of  sanctincation  and  righteousness  and  treasures  of 
everlasting  life  and  salvation  ! 

[f  the  '  Christian  be  a  "  stranger,"  here  is  his  citi; 
ship  declared  to  him.  If  he  be  a  "  pilgrim,"  here  is  his 
staff  provided  for  him.  li"  be  be  a  "traveller,"  here  is 
his  guide.  IT  he  be  a  voyager,  here  i-  his  chart.  If 
he  l>e  a  soldier,  here  is  Ins  spiritual  armoury, — the 
shield  of  faith,  and  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  the  -:m- 
i\a\^  of  peace,  and  the  girdle  of  truth  —  the  bveast- 
plate  of  righteousness,  and  the  helmet  of  salvation! 
Whatsoever  the  Christian  be,  or  in  whatever  circum- 
stances, he  will  find  in  the  word  of  the  living  God  a 
most  suitable  and  seasonable  portion !  El  ■■  food  t«>r 
the  hungry,  and  water  for  the  thirsty:  medicine  i"r 
the  sick,  and  a  cordis/  to  the  faint,     it  gives  riches  to 

6* 


66  CiREEN    PASTURES. 

the  poor,  and  a  blessing  without  sorrow  to  the  rich.  It 
gives  sight  to  the  blind,  strength  to  the  weak,  instruc- 
tion to  the  living,  and  consolation  to  the  dying  !  Safely 
may  we  affirm  that  no  believer  ever  searched  the  sa- 
cred Scriptures  in  vain.  When  darkness  surrounds  us, 
here  we  see  a  light  shining  upon  our  path.  AY  hen 
perplexity  unsettles  us,  we  find  here  a  counsellor  who 
directs  us  with  unerring  wisdom.  When  the  remem- 
brance of  sin  sinks  us  in  despondency,  the  Scriptures 
assure  us  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God,  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  When  the  believer  is  be- 
reaved of  the  pious  friends  he  loved,  he  is  here  com- 
forted by  the  hope  that  he  and  they  shall  again  be 
reunited  for  ever !  Thus  whatever  be  the  circum- 
stances of  the  Christian,  the  word  of  God  is  as  "  green 
pastures"  to  his  soul !  The  testimony  of  the  Psalmist 
to  the  excellenee  and  sufficiency  of  the  holy  word,  is 
most  complete.  "  The  Law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect, 
converting  the  soid  :  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure, 
making  wise  the  simple.  The  statutes  of  the  Lord 
are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart :  the  commandment  of  the 
Lord  is  pure,  enlightening  the  eyes.  The  fear  of  the 
Lord  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever  :  the  judgments  of  the 
Lord  are  true  and  righteous  altogether.  More  to  be 
lesired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  line  gold  : 
sweeter  also  than  honey,  and  the  honeycomb.  More- 
over by  them  is  thy  servant  warned  ;  and  in  keeping 
of  them  there  is  great  reward,"  Psa.  xix.  7 — 11. 

The  "good"'  and  '-great'  Shepherd  of  the  sheep. 
X  has  more  than  one  pasture  for  his  Hock.  The  Psalmist 
here  speaks  in  the  plural  number — "green  pastures.*' 
A  provider'.  Shepherd  conducts  his  Hock  from  one  field 
to  another,  and  gives  them  a  pleasant  diversity  of  food. 
Thui  their  appetite  is  never  cloyed — their  health  and 


GREEN    PASTURES.  07 

strength  are  presened  —and  their  spirits  are  ever  cheer- 
ful and  buoyant  So  is  it  with  the  flock  of  the 
Shepherd.  The)  are  uol  confined  to  one  only  mean 
of  grace  and  spiritual  refreshment  Oh  no!  Their 
Shepherd  is  wise,  and  provident,  and  Liberal  He  has 
appointed  various  means  «>i  grace  foT  the  nourishment 
and  prosperity  of  their  souls.  To  these  he  leads  his 
flock,  and  there  he  causes  them  to  lie  down  in  the 
abundance  of  his  blessing.  The  holy  Sabbath  the 
house  of  the  Lord — the  preaching  of  hi-  word— the 
melod)  of  psalms — the  offering  up  of  prayers — the  adV 
ministration  of  the  sacraments,  are"green  pastures5' 
where  the  Shepherd  feeds  his  flock.     Both  family  and 

social  prayer,  the  I  iord  also  vouchsafes  to  bless  as ans 

oi'  grace  and  gladness  to  bis  people.  How  often  have 
all  these,  in  their  respective  seasons,  proved  refreshing 
to  the  weary,  and  satisfying  to  the  hungry,  >'>ul ! 
What  comfort, what  encouragement, whal  instruction, 
have  we  riot  derived  from  them  in  the  moments  of  our 
greatesl  need!  Who  would  not  "call  the  sabbath  a 
delight,  holy  of  the  Lord,  and  honourable?"  "1  \\a> 
glad,"  the  Psalmist  cries,  "when  they  said  unto  me, 
Let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord."  "  How  amia- 
ble are  thy  tabernacles,  0  Lord  <>!'  hosts!  My  soul 
tongeth,  3  ea,  even  fainteth,  for  the  courts  of  the  I  .ord : 
my  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  Living  I 
How  often  has  the  believer  experienced  in  the  sanctt 
d\  the  Lord,  that  "where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
together"  in  Ins  name,  there  is  he  in  the  midst  of  them  ! 
It  i-  the  presence  of  the  Lord  in  his  church,  in  hi-  word, 
and  in  bis  ordinances,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  makes 
them  green  pastures  to  the  soul.  The  typesan  I  cere- 
monies, the  histories  and  prophecies  of  the  Old 
tamout  we.e  no  empty  and  unmeaning  things      Thej 


68  GREEN    PASTURES. 

exhibited  a  living  ar.d  life-giving  Saviour  to  the  sainte. 
The  miracles  and  the  doctrines,  the  precepts,  the  prom- 
ises, and  the  ordinances,  of  the  New  Testament,  are 
redolent  with  Divine  goodness.  We  feel  satisfied  with 
the  fatness  of  God's  house.  We  are  made  to  "lie 
down"  as  in  "  green  pastures."  God  is  known,  and 
felt,  and  loved  !  His  presence  is  realized  !  His  faith- 
fulness is  proved  !  His  power  is  experienced  !  His 
mercy  is  enjoyed  ! 

So  rich  and  ample,  so  suitable  and  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  the  soul,  are  the  spiritual  pastures  of  the 
good  Shepherd,  that  the  Psalmist  expresses  his  satis- 
faction with  them,  by  the  appropriate  figure  of  a 
sheep  "  lying  doicii"  in  green  pastures.  There  its 
hunger  is  appeased:  its  wants  are  satisfied;  it  re- 
clines and  is  at  rest  !  Such  is  the  happy  position  of 
the  true  believer.  It  is  his  privilege  to  feed  and  to 
"lie  down"  in  the  green  pastures  of  his  Spiritual  Shep- 
herd, that  ever  gracious  Lord,  who  "satiates  the 
weary  soul,  and  replenishes  every  sorrowful  soul."' 
The  Psalmist  fully  enjoyed  this  replenishing.  He 
knew  the  largeness  and  the  richness  of  heavenly  pro- 
vision.  "My  soul,"  he  declares,  "shall  be  satisfied  as 
with  marrow  and  fatness  :  and  my  mouth  shall  praise 
thee  with  joyful  lips :  when  I  remember  thee  upon 
my  bed,  and  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night  watches," 
Psa.  lxiii.  5.  Meditation  is  the  "lying  down"  of  the 
soul — the  ruminating  of  iis  heavenly  food.  The  mind 
fixes  its  attention  on  things  divine.  We  recall  the 
truths,  and  promises,  and  consolations,  of  Scripture. 
We  re-feel  the  impressions  that  were  produced.  We 
rekindle  the  emotions  that  were  awakened.  The  soul 
takes-in  religion  to  its  inner  being.  Truth  becomes  a 
part  of  its  nature :  and  with  the  God  of  truth  it.  feels 


QHEEM    PASTURES.  69 

that  it  possesses  a  real,  intimate,  and  living  relation* 
ship.  Thus  the  spirit  of  the  believer  i-  invigorated. 
Eveiy  holy  thought  is  deepened.  Eveiy  gracious  dis- 
position is  strengthened.  We  sec  sin  to  be  exceeding 
sinfuL  \\  c  feel  the  burden  of  il  to  be  intolerable. 
Confidence  in  self  is  loosened,  and  confidence  in  the 
■Saviour  is  increased.  The  more  we  meditate  on  his 
love  to  us.  the  more  fervent  does  our  love  to  him  be- 
come. Infinite  obligations  lay  us  under  an  infinite 
debt  of  gratitude.  We  feel  that  we  cannot  love  him 
as  we  ought,  or  as  we  desire.  His  praises  cannot  he 
told,  and  yet  we  rejoice  to  utter  them  in  our  highest 
Btrains.  We  speak  to  ourselves  in  psalms  and  hymns 
and  spiritual  songs:  singing  and  making  melody  in 
our  hearts  to  the  Lord.  And  while  we  are  thus  mu- 
sing, the  holy  calm,  and  the  heavenly  satisfaction, 
within  our  breasts,  enable  us  to  testify  with  the 
Psalmist,  "He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pas- 
tures." 

Meditation  is  both  the  privilege  and  the  duty  of  the 
beli«ver.  It  is  the  holy  and  the  healthful  digestion 
of  his  spiritual  food.  Without  this  the  means  of 
grace  cannot  nourish  or  refresh  the  soul.  ••  from  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  we  may  hear  songs,  even 
-lory  to  the  righteous;"  and  yet  from  lack  of  prayer 
and  meditation  be  compelled  to  cry  out,  "  M\  lean- 
ness, my  leanness.  Woe  unto  me!"  Isa.  rxiv.  10. 
This,  alas!  is  the  case  with  multitudes  in  the  profess- 
ing church.  They  read  the  sacred  page,  and  they 
attend  the  ministrations  of  the  sanctuary;  but  they 
n  'i  equally  diligent  in  the  duties  of  the  closet 
"5  el  from  year  to  year  they  wonder  why  all  they  read 
and  hear  procures  so  little  profit  to  their  souls  The 
fauh    lies   inward.      Their   spiritual    appetite    is   de> 


70  GREEN    PASTURES. 

praved,  and  every  addition  of  the  mos-t  wholesome 
food  only  increases  the  disease.  Unless  the  "  he°rt  bo 
sound  in  the  statutes"  of  the  Lord,  our  "leanness" 
will  continually  cause  us  to  be  "  ashamed."  In  an 
"  honest  and  good  heart"  we  must  not  only  receive  the 
word,  but  "keep"  it.  The  soul  is  preserved  in  a 
healthy  condition  by  constant  prayer  and  daily  medi- 
tation. This,  however,  is  a  self-denying  and  pains- 
taking work.  Man  naturally  loves  it  not.  Gladly 
and  perseveringly  will  he  go  from  one  means  of  grace 
to  another.  He  finds  pleasure  in  the  excitements  of 
social  worship.  He  takes  delight  in  listening  to  pul- 
pit eloquence.  But  to  retire  within  himself  for  a 
season — to  make  his  own  breast  his  church — con- 
science the  preacher — and  every  thought  and  feeling 
the  audience — he  accounts  a  task  as  dull  as  it  is  dis- 
tasteful !  The  silly,  inconsiderate  sheep  delight  to 
roam.  Even  through  mid-day  heat  they  will  range 
from  pasture  to  pasture — tasting  as  they  go — till  they 
sink  under  their  own  exhaustion.  The  office  of  the 
shepherd,  therefore,  is  to  "  make"  his  sheep  lie  down. 
He  conducts  them  to  the  shady  spots  within  their  pas- 
turage, and  thus  invites  them  to  refreshing  rest. 
The  good  Shepherd  performs  this  office  for  all  the 
members  of  his  flock.  By  his  gracious  Spirit  in  their 
hearts,  and  by  his  timely  providences  in  their  lives,  he 
gives  them  periods  of  repose.  The  satisfaction  and 
the  joy  which  they  experience  under  the  Divine  Com- 
forter, dispose  them  to  lie  down  with  delight  in  the 
spiritual  pastures.  The  believer  exclaims,  "  It  is  good 
for  me  to  draw  near  unto  God." — '-Lord,  I  have  loved 
the  habitation  of  thy  house,  and  the  place  where 
thine  honour  dwelleth,"-  ■"  I  wait  for  the  Lord,  my 
kouI  doth  wait,  and  in  his  word  do  I  hope."     Such 


GREEN    i-ASTl  KKS.  71 

was  tin-  experience  of  the  saints  of  old.  They  found 
CJod  to  be  the  only  true  resting-place  for  their  souls. 
Converse  with  him.  they  regarded  as  the  sweetest  re- 
freshment of  their  spirits.  ■•  1  have  esteemed,"  said 
the  patriarch  Job,  "  1  have  esteemed  the  words  of  his 
mouth  more  than  my  necessary  food."  Jeremiah  will- 
ingly records  a  similar  testimony  for  himself:  '-Thy 
words  were  found  and  I  did  eat  them:  and  thy  word 
was  unto  me  the  joy  and  the  rejoicing  of  my  heart/' 
The  Psalmist,  too.  seems  never  to  have  been  weary  of 
rehearsing  the  delight  which  he  experienced  in  medi- 
tating upon  God.     "How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto 

m\  taste:  yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth." 

"I  rejoice  at  thy  word  ;is  one  that  findeth  great  spoil.'' 
— "The  law  of  thy  mouth  is  better  unto  me  than 
thousands  of  gold  and  silver."  "Oh,  hou  love  I  thy 
law:  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day."  "Thy  t.  ~i  i- 
monies  have  I  taken  as  an  heritage  lor  ever:  lor  they 
are  the  rejoicing  of  my  heart." 

The  repose  of  soul  which  these  ancient  believers 
experienced  in  the  green  pastures  of  the  good  Shep- 
herd, is  the  common  privilege  of  every  member  of  his 

flock.     I  [ear  his  gracious  invitation  :  ••  <  lome  unto  , 

a"  ye  that  lab ■  and  are  heavy  laden,  and   I  will 

give  you  rest."  The  Hock  of  Christ  are  bving  in  an 
unquiet  world,  and  trial-  befell  them  as  the)  journey 
through  it.  Peace  in  mere  external  circumstances 
they  cannot  find.  Their  souls  languish  and  would 
expire  amidst  the  emptiness  >f  earthly  things.  How 
delightful  to  the  Christian,  when  worn"  with  the  cares 
and  the  anxieties  of  life,  to  retire  to  these  green  pas- 
tures! Mow  refreshing  to  the  spirit  which  the  busi- 
ness and  the  hustle  ,,!'  the  world  have  harassed,  to 
"return'  to  the  resting-place  of  the  good  Shepherd  I 


72  GREEN    PASTURES. 

The  Pastor  welcomes  his  troubled  sheep  to  his  ever* 
verdant  pastures.  "  I  will  feed  my  flock,  and  I  will 
cause  them  to  lie  down,  saith  the  Lord  God,"  Ezek. 
xxxiv.  15.  The  volume  of  truth  is  as  a  "green"  and 
never-failing  field.  The  pastures  of  prayer  and  praise 
are  ever  budding  with  refreshment.  To  these  the  be- 
liever returns  again  and  again,  and  finds  them  sweet 
and  suitable  to  his  taste.  In  the  ever-changing  cir- 
cumstances of  his  lot,  and  at  the  several  stages  of  his 
progress,  he  can  lie  down  with  satisfaction  therein, 
and  find  abundance  and  repose.  The  instructions  of 
truth,  the  consolations  of  religion,  display  a  fadeless 
bloom,  because  they  possess  an  everlasting  virtue. 
Turn  to  them  at  whatever  time  ;  return  to  them  with 
whatever  frequency,  they  shall  always  be  found  bud- 
ding with  new  and  seasonable  refreshment. 

Is  this  thy  experience,  O  Christian  reader?  Hast 
thou  been  brought  into  these  "  green  pastures  ?"  Dost 
thou  love  them  1  Is  the  Bible  of  inestimable  value  in 
thy  apprehension  ?  Is  it  thy  book  of  life  1 — thy  soul's 
most  precious  nourishment?  Dost  thou  prize  all  the 
ordinances  of  religion,  and  diligently  cultivate  every 
means  of  grace  in  private  and  in  public  ?  Thou  art 
an  immortal  creature,  and  thy  God  has  richly  given 
to  thee  the  food  of  immortality.  Does  it  ever  seem  to 
thee  as  dry  and  withered  herbage?  Or  is  it  always 
green  and  budding  in  thy  estimation?  Oh,  pray 
earnestly  to  preserve  thy  relish  for  the  pastures  of  the 
good  Shepherd !  Guard  against  everything  that 
would  lessen  thy  delight  in  the  holy  volume,  and  the 
privileges  of  prayer  !  Great  indeed  is  the  moral  sick- 
ness when  the  spiritual  appetite  has  declined.  Oh, 
sad,  sad  state,  when  the  book  of  truth  is  opened,  or 
ihc  knee  is  bent  before  the  throne  of  grace,  with  a  cold 


GREEN     PASTURES.  73 

and  languid  heart !     Such  was  not  the  case  with  Da- 
vid :  his  words  denote  the  full  and  holy  satisfaction 
with  which  he  contemplated  and  enjoyed  his  spiritual 
privileges.     lla-t  thou  been  made,  O  reader,  to  "lie 
<l<nrii"  like  him  in  these  green  pastures?     Canst  thou 
truly  Bay,  "  M\  soul  is  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and 
fatness,  when   I   meditate  on  God  in  the  watches  of 
the  night  ?"     Thy  soul  is  in  a  healthy  condition  when 
it  thus  feels  and  speaks.     .Meditation  is  a  wholesome 
act.     Without  it  all  the  means  of  grace  fail  of  their 
effect.    A  ruminating  flock  is  a  prospering  flock.    Med- 
itation should  invariably  attend  all  our  readings  of 
God's  word,  and  every  act  of  private  and  of  public  de- 
votion.    The   children  of  God  in  all  ages  have  care- 
fully observed  it.     ■•  Isaac  went  out  to  meditate  in  the 
field  ;it  the  even-tide."     The  Psalmisl  affirms,  ■■  I  will 
remember  the  works  of  the  Lord:  Burely   1  will  re- 
member  thy  wonders  of  old.     1  will  meditate,  also,  of 
all  thy  work,  and  talk  of  thy  doings."     Timothy  was 
exhorted  to  "meditate  upon  these  things,  and  to  give 
himself  wholly  to  them."     Be  these  thy  example-.  <> 
Christian.     Give  thyself  to  holy  meditation.     Ask  thy 
Shepherd  Id  make  thee  to  lie  down   in  his  green   pas- 
tures.     Let  the  word  of  inspiration  be  thy  daily  study. 
Peruse  it  with  a  devotional  spirit.     Turn  not  lightly 
from  one  portion  to  another  of  the  holj  volume.    Med- 
itate on  ever}  word.     Bach  verse  says,  "1  have  a  mes- 
sage from  God  unto  thee."     Consider  thai   mese 
Let  it  lie  engraven  on  thy  heart     Ponder  every  pre- 
cept    Weigh    every  threatening.     Remember   every 
promise.     Let  the  "words  which  God  commands  thee 
be  in  thine  heart   ....   when  thou  sittest  in  thine 
house,  when  thou  walkesl  by  the  way,  and  when  thou 
liest  down,  and  when  thou  i  isest  up  "     Teed  thy  souJ 

7 


74  GREEN    PASTURES. 

continually  upon  the  heavenly  food.  Let  the  word 
of  Christ  dwell  in  thee  richly  in  all  wisdom.  The 
Bible  is  full  of  God.  Think  on  Him  as  therein  re- 
vealed, and  thou  shalt  say  with  David,  "  My  medita- 
tion of  Him  shall  be  sweet :  I  will  be  glad  in  the  Lord,' 
Psa.  civ.  34. 

In  the  secret  closet,  in  the  public  congregation,  and 
at  the  sacramental  feast,  let  the  words  of  thy  mouth 
be  accompanied  by  the  meditations  of  thy  heart.  The 
King  of  heaven  condescends  to  give  thee  audience  at 
the  throne  of  grace.  Great  is  the  guilt  of  a  heedless 
approach  unto  God.  Therefore,  at  all  times  seek  to 
be  "  in  the  Spirit,"  and  especially  "  on  the  Lord's  day.'' 
Be  not  rash  with  thy  mouth  to  utter  anything  before 
God.  "  Offer  not  the  sacrifice  of  fools,"  but  "  con- 
sider /"  Hasten  not  to  the  sanctuary  without  a  due 
preparation  of  thy  heart.  Seek  not  to  meet  with  man, 
but  with  the  living  God.  Pour  out  thy  whole  heart 
before  him,  and  ponder  well  all  thy  petitions.  Lay 
home  upon  thy  conscience  the  word  of  truth.  Let  it 
be  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  thy  heart. 
Haste  not  away  from  the  house  of  prayer  to  thy  table, 
but  to  thy  closet.  Stay  not  till  thy  good  impressions 
be  effaced  by  frivolous  conversation  with  friends  or 
neighbours.  Seek,  quickly  seek,  to  deepen  and  secure 
them  by  converse  with  thy  God,  and  with  thine  own 
soul.  Give  thyself  rest,  O  Christian,  a  holy  rest. 
"Commune  with  thine  own  heart"  daily,  nightly, 
and  "be  still."  Seasons  of  spiritual  lying  down  an; 
necessary  to  eternal  health.  Seek  to  enter  into  the 
full  enjoyment  of  thy  Christian  privileges :  and  to 
derive  from  them  that  full  and  suitable  nourishment 
which  by  the  Spirit  they  will  impart.  These  green 
pastures  aie  ever  open  to  thee.     Lie  down  continually 


GREEN    PASTURES.  75 

therein.  "  This  is  the  rest  wherewith  "  the  good  Shep- 
herd "caaseth  the  weary  to  rest,  and  this  is  the  re- 
freshing !"  None  of  his  Hock  are  excluded  from  it. 
The  weakest,  the  poorest,  the  most  unworthy,  are  in- 
vited, and  shall  each  be  made  welcome.  From  the 
beginning  of  the  world  to  its  termination  it  shall  be 
recorded  of  all  the  members  of  his  fold,  "  They  did  all 
eat  the  same  spiritual  meat,"  1  Cor.  x.  3 ;  they  were 
all  "  made  to  lie  down "  in  the  same  "  green "  and 
budding  ';  pastures !" 


STILL    WATERS. 


Verse  2. — He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

Such  is  the  second  grateful  testimony  of  the  Psalm- 
ist. He  rojoices  to  record  the  unremitting  care  of  the 
Lord  his  Shepherd,  and  the  full  and  varied  provision 
which  he  has  made  for  his  flock.  Food,  even  the 
most  excellent  and  abundant,  camiot  of  itself  satisfy 
every  want.  The  pastures  may  indeed  be  "  green " 
by  reason  of  dews  in  the  night,  but,  destitute  of  water, 
the  sheep  will  languish  and  expire.  A  prudent  shep- 
herd, therefore,  will  not  only  cause  his  flock  to  feed, 
and  to  lie  down,  amid  luxuriant  herbage,  but  he  will 
likewise  conduct  them  to  the  copious  current  of  re- 
freshing streams.  He  knows  that  thirst  is  the  most 
insupportable  of  all  natural  cravings :  and  regards  it 
as  one  of  his  chief  duties  to  secure  his  flock  at  all 
times  against  its  distressing  and  dangerous  effects. 
Never,  by  any  means,  does  he  place  them  in  circum- 
stances where  this  great  necessary  of  life  lies  beyond 
their  reach.  On  the  contrary,  he  diligently  searches 
for  those  districts  where  springs,  or  wells,  or  rivers 
abound  ;  and  carefully  selects  them  for  the  pasturing 
of  his  ilocks.  He  may,  indeed,  remove  his  sheep  from 
field  to  field,  or  from  one  portion  of  country  to  another  ; 
but  still  he  invariably  leads  them  in  the  vicinity  of 
that  refreshment  which  is  alike  indispensable  to  their 


STILL    WATERS.  77 

health  and  their  existence.  These  good  offices  of  a 
shepherd,  David  had  personally  discharged.  He  knew 
what  anxiety  and  care  were  necessary  to  provide  for 
a  flock  continual  and  abundant  supplies  of  water. 
And  now,  when  he  speaks  of  himself  as  enjoying  the 
superintendence  of  a  heavenly  Shepherd,  he  thankfully 
acknowledges  his  own  spiritual  experience  of  a  similar 
kindness  at  his  hands,  i;IIe  leadcth  me  beside  the 
still  waters." 

The  Shepherd  of  Israel  has  a  large  and  numerous 
flock  under  his  charge.  He  has  engaged  to  conduct 
them  to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  without  the  loss  of  the 
feeblest  sheep,  or  of  the  most  tender  lamb.  The  ter- 
ritory of  this  world  which  they  must  traverse  is  to 
them  as  ;i  desert  and  a  wilderness.  Its  arid  sands,  its 
barren  heaths,  its  entangling  forests,  its  rocky  moun- 
tains, furnish  neither  the  nourishment  nor  tin-  shelter 
which   his  flock   require,  and  threaten  them  also  as 

they   pass    with   divers    kinds   of    deaths.      It    is   only, 

therefore,  by  the  utmost  tenderness  and  the  most  vigi- 
lant care  on  the  part  of  the  Shepherd,  that  they  can 
be  preserved  to  their  journey's  end.  At  one  time  he 
tarries  with  them  lest  weariness  may  injure;  and 
"makes  them  to  lie  down  in  the  green  pastures" 
which  he  lias  prepared,  that  they  may  recover  Strength. 
At  another  he  leads  them  diligently  forward,  and  Buf- 
fers them  not  to  linger  on  the  road.  In  the  roughest 
parts  "he  carries  the  lambs  in  his  bosom,  and  gently 
leads  those  that  are  with  young."  But  ever  and  anon 
he  keeps  them  within  reach  of  a  peaceful  and  refresh- 
in':  stream.  In  its  vicinity  they  will  meet  with  fewer 
obstacles,   and   more   level  and  fertile  plain-.       \ud  by 

oft  "drinking  of  this  hrook  by  the  way,"  they  will  lift 
up  their  heads  refreshed,  and  <xo  on  their  course  with 

7* 


7*8  STILL    WATERS. 

vigour.  This  placid  stream  flows  ever  parallel  with 
the  path  of  righteousness  ,  and,  as  that  path  winds 
onward,  its  current  also  winds,  and  with  each  turning 
of  the  road  flows  gently  forward.  Should  any  mem- 
ber of  the  flock  deviate  from  the  appointed  path,  he 
would  soon  bitterly  experience  that  he  had  lost  sight 
of  the  stream  of  peace.  The  insatiable  thirst  within, 
no  other  waters  could  assuage.  So  long,  however,  as 
he  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  the  good  Shepherd,  so 
long  would  he  have  reason  to  acknowledge,  with  a 
grateful  heart,  that  he  invariably  led  him  beside  the 
still  waters. 

Water  is  familiarly  known  to  be  a  scriptural  emblem 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  We  can,  therefore,  be  at  no  loss 
to  understand  the  meaning  of  the  Psalmist  in  this  de- 
scriptive statement.  He  evidently  alludes  to  that 
heavenly  peace,  those  inward  calms,  those  sweet  re- 
freshments of  soul,  which  it  is  the  privilege  of  the 
believer  to  enjoy  through  the  gracious  Spirit  of  the 
living  (Jod,  the  promised  Comforter.  These  are  indeed 
"  still  waters,"  beside  which  the  good  Shepherd  leads 
his  spiritual  flock.  In  the  margin  of  our  Bibles  these 
are  also  denominated  "  waters  of  quietness.''  The 
words  in  the  original  language  of  inspiration  may  cor- 
rectly be  translated  "  waters  of  rest !"  Beautiful  and 
expressive  is  this  term.  It  admirably  depicts  the 
peaceful,  blessed,  heavenly,  state  of  the  believer,  whose, 
spirit  is  refreshed  by  the  Divine  Spirit — he  is  as  a  sheep 
which  is  led  beside  waters  of  rest !  The  good  Shep- 
herd can  alone  conduct  his  flock  beside  these  "still" 
and  "quiet"  and  ';  rest '-giving  waters.  He  himseh 
"leads'  them,  that  they  may  know  whereto  find  that 
pure  supply,  which  is  so  necessary  to  satisfy  their 
spiritual   desires.     He  leads   them  ';  beside'''  the    still 


STILL    WATERS.  79 

waters,  that  they  may  never  thirst  for  any  lengthened 
period,  hut  he  ever  near  to  enjoy  a  timely  and  continual 
refreshment.  And  never  does  he  bring  them  into  cir- 
cumstances  where  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  obtain 
the  enlivening  and  satisfying  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  promise  ! 

The  waters  beside  which  the  heavenly  Shepherd 
leads  his  Hock  are  pure  and  healing ;  they  are  gentle, 
and  ever  flowing.  No  acrid,  or  unwholesome  vapours, 
poison  their  source.  No  turbid  waters  commingle  to 
pollute  them.  Soft  and  limpid  is  their  flow,  pleasant 
and  silvery  is  their  gliding  voice.  At  times  they  re- 
Bemble  the  tiny  rill,  or  the  silent  brook  in  its  unnoticed 
course.  Again  they  appear  in  the  depth  and  power  of 
a  larger  stream.     And    ye.  they    flow   like    a 

might)  river  with  its  t \ ill.  and  strong,  and  nois 
current.  Like  ail  other  river-,  this  spiritual  river  has 
a  fountain-head.  The  Spirit  "proceedeth"  from  the 
Father  and  the  .Son.  The  holy  evangelist  beheld  it  in 
vision  as  ■•  a  pure  river  <*'  water  of  life,  clear  as  chrys- 
tal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb,"  Rev.  xxii.  1.  The  blessed  Saviour  asserted 
this  truth,  when  he  gave  bis  sorrowing  disciples  the 
gracious  promise  of  a  "Comforter,  whom."  said  he,  "  1 
will  send  unto  yon  from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  ol 
truth,  which  proceedeth  from  the  Father.'"  John  x 

The  good  Shepherd  would  not  leave  his  sh i  to  parch 

with  thirst.  His  heart  was  full  of  the  most  tender 
care  to  supply  all  their  wants.  Therefore,  while  yet 
living  amongst  them,  ho  uttered  that  faithful  promise. 
Yea,  we  read  that  on  another  memorable  occasion, 
'•  in  the  great  day  of  the  feast,"  Jesus  stood  and  cried, 
laying,  "If  any  man  thirst.  Let  him  come  unto  me  and 
drink.     He  that  belisvethon  me.  as  the  Scripture  hath 


80  STILL    WATERS. 

said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water. 
(But  this  spake  he  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that  be- 
lieve on  him  should  receive :  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
not  yet  given,  because  that  Jesus  was  not  yet  glorified.") 
John  vii.  37. 

The  presence  and  the  operations  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  in  the  human  heart,  are  justly  exhibited  under 
this  appropriate  emblem  of  satisfying  waters.  Still 
waters  are  deep  and  constant  in  their  flow.  The  mur- 
muring brook,  the  impetuous  torrent,  are  generally 
shallow  and  uncertain  in  their  course.  But  the  waters 
of  quietness  glide  slowly  and  gently  onward,  as  if  un- 
willing to  pass  away,  till  their  fertilizing  blessings  have 
been  richly  imparted  on  every  side.  The  Spirit  of  God 
is  represented,  indeed,  in  other  parts  of  Scripture,  as  a 
fire,  alarming,  searching,  and  consuming  in  its  prog- 
ress. Such  are  the  operations  of  the  Spirit  in  his 
first  great  work,  convincing  the  soul,  by  the  Law,  of  the 
exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin.  But  when  He  is  spoken 
of  under  the  emblem  of  water,  his  operations  by  the 
Gospel  are  cleansing,  softening,  quenching,  fertilizing, 
and  refreshing.  The  individual  who  had  trembled 
under  the  Mount  of  Sinai, — who  had  "exceedingly 
feared  and  quaked,"  is  led  beside  the  "  waters  of 
Shiloah  that  £o  softly,"  Isa.  viii.  6,  that  his  faintness 
may  be  removed,  and  his  strength  restored.  Here  the 
sinner  tastes  for  the  first  time  the  grateful  draught, 
and  feels  that  his  long  spiritual  thirst  is  indeed  allayed 
He  had  thirsted  for  pardon,  and  he  now  finds  that  he 
is  cleansed  from  guilt.  He  had  thirsted  for  holiness. 
anil  he  now  feels  that  the  burnings  <>('  sin  within  his 
evil  heart  are  quenched.  He  had  thirsted  for  tender- 
ness and  meekness  of  spirit,  and  he  is  now  conscious 
that  his  passionate  feelings  are  softened  and  refined. 


STILL    WATERS.  81 

He  had  thirsted  for  support  and  encouragement  amid 
troubles  and  conflicts,  and  now  he  has  obtained  peace 
and  refreshment  He  bad  thirsted  for  fruitfulness  in 
every  good  word  and  work,  and  now  he  experiences  the 
fertilizing  and  enriching  Spirit  working  within  him 
various  graces  of  the  Christian  life,  so  that  he  is  en- 
abled both  to  will  and  to  do  of  God's  good  pleasure. 

The  Psalmist,  we  observe,  speaks  in  the  plural 
number,  "He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters." 
Waters  of  various  kinds  abound  throughout  the  earth. 
They  are  to  be  met  with  in  every  clime  and  country. 
They  are  absolutely  indispensable  to  the  comfort  and 
the  beauty,  the  health  and  the  existence,  of  every 
living  thing.  They  are  necessary  for  constant  and 
varied  use  to  the  whole  race  of  men.  to  rich  and  poor 
alike.  These  everywhere  present,  and  everywhere 
needed,  waters,  form  all  one  element,  and  fitly  repre- 
sent   the   everywhere   present    powers,  and  everywhere 

needed  blessings,  of  the  One  Eternal  Spirit.  Every 
believing  soul  depends  entirely  for  lite  and  comfort  on 
the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  grace.  It  can  "abound  in 
hope"  only  "through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost," 
Rom.  xv.  13.  He  is  the  author  and  giver  of  life  and 
light,  of  peace  and  pardon,  of  counsel  and  might,  of 
consolation  and  supplications,  of  truth  and  holiness,  of 

love  and  of  adoption,  of  grace  and  of  glory  ! 

The  Holy  Comforter  i>  a  seven-fold,  that  is.  an  all- 
perfect  Spirit  If  the  "churches"  be  ';se\en."'  He  is 
the  same  full,  life-giving,  consoling,  and  sustaining 
Spirit  to  each  of  them,  as  if  they  were  "  seven  Spirits," 
Rev.  i.  I.  and  each  presiding  over  his  own  church 
Should  these  seven  churches  be  multiplied  by  thou- 
sand--, and  their  members  by  millions,  yet  would  the 
one  Divine  Spirit  be  as  capable  to  bless,  and  to  sancti- 


82  STILL    WATERS. 

fy,  them  all,  as  if  the  powers  and  the  perfections  of  so 
many  millions  of  spirits  were  concentrated  in  his  per- 
son, and  exhibited  in  his  agency  ! 

The  gifts  and  graces,  the  operations  and  influences 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  are  as  "waters"  manifold  and 
free.  They  meet  the  believer  in  every  place.  They 
supply  him  in  every  need.  They  comfort  him  at 
every  period.  They  strengthen  him  for  every  duty. 
They  are  suited  to  him  in  every  condition.  The  Holy 
Spirit  is  not  only  near  to  the  believer,  he  is  with  him  ; 
he  is  within  him.  He  has  dwelt  in  the  hearts  of  all 
the  faithful  in  all  past  ages.  He  is  dwelling  now  in 
the  heart  of  every  sincere  Christian  on  the  face  of  the 
globe.  "  He  dwelleth  with  you/'  said  the  Saviour, 
"  and  shall  be  in  you,"  John  xiv.  17. 

Then,  indeed,  have  "  the  churches  rest"— then, 
indeed,  have  the  believers  "rest" — when  they  are 
found  "  walking  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost," 
Acts  ix.  31.  The  good  Shepherd  is  graciously  leading 
them  beside  the  quiet  waters.  They  each  enjoy 
a  secret,  still,  and  holy,  intercourse  with  God.  The 
inward  teachings  and  drawings  of  his  Spirit  exercise 
a  sweet  control  over  their  hearts.  Every  wayward 
temper  and  unholy  thought  is  subdued.  The  unruly 
will  is  unruly  no  longer,  but  moves  in  harmony  with 
the  will  of  God.  Conflicting  passions  cease.  "  Peace" 
has  been  spoken  over  the  troubled  conscience,  and 
there  is  a  "  great  calm."  Every  pure  desire  is  satisfied. 
The  drooping  faith  is  revived.  The  fainting  heart  is 
cheered.  The  soul  tastes  of  the  fountain  of  heavenly 
joy,  and  feels  itself  supremely  blest  in  God  as  its 
everlasting  rest. 

The  Divine  Spirit  manifests  his  presence  in  the 
human  soul  by  his  own  quiet  nnd  peculiar  influence. 


STILL    WATERS.  83 

It  is  inward.  It  is  deep.  It  is  purifying.  It  is  pro- 
gressive "The  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and 
drink,  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  Rom.  xiv.  17.  ':  The  kingdom  of  God 
eometh  not  with  observation,"  Luke  xvii.  20.  But 
though  thus  quiet  and  unnoticed  of  others,  it  is  neither 
unknown  nor  unfelt  by  the  recipient.  How  often  has 
the  believer  in  seasons  of  trial  and  sorrow  been  con- 
scious of  being  led  beside  the  waters  of  rest !  What  a 
change  has  been  inwardly  experienced  !  What  relief 
to  the  oppressed  heart !  What  soothing  to  the  wound- 
ed feelings  !  What  submission  under  the  trials  of 
providence  !  What  cheerfulness  in  taking  up  the 
cross !  What  subduing  of  our  pride  !  W  hat  restrain- 
ing of  our  ambition  !  What,  softening  of  our  wrath  ! 
What  meekness,  what  gentleness,  what  love,  what  joy, 
are  shed  abroad  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Gh 

Are  we  under  bereavement  .'  Does  the  heart  throb, 
and  the  tear  flow,  because  the  friend  whom  we  Loved 
as  our  own  soul,  is  numbered  with  the  dead  }  The 
good  Shepherd  will  gently  lead  u<  beside  the  water-  of 
rest,  and  give  us  freely  to  drink  of  everlasting  consola- 
tions. 11  is  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  will  be  Dear  us  to 
the  solitude  of  our  chambers.  He  will  incline  us  to 
open  and  peruse  the  sacred  page.  He  will  constrain 
us  to  fall  upon  our  bended  knees  in  earnest  prayer 
before  our  heavenly  father; — and  he  will  soothe  our 
sorrow,  assuage  our  grief,  and  bear  away  our  heavi- 
Dess.  lias  a  deep  and  dark  despondency  settled  upon 
our  minds?  The  Spirit  will  graciously  relieve  our 
melancholy  meditations.  He  will  gradually  elevate 
every  thought  and  feeling,  till  the  gloom  of  the  --rave 
shall  be  dispelled  by  cheerful  anticipations  <-.(  heaven  ! 
Does  tin  Christian  labour  under  some  strong  tempta- 


84  STILL    WATERS. 

tion?  Are  his  convictions  of  conscience  aDout  to  give 
way  before  his  enticements  to  evil  ?  The  good  Shep- 
herd will  lead  him  beside  the  refreshing  waters,  and  give 
him  spiritual  strength.  In  the  sanctuary  of  God,  it 
may  be,  some  petition  in  a  prayer,  some  warning  in  a 
text,  some  sentence  in  a  sermon,  will  be  applied  to  his 
mind  with  heavenly  power.  He  will  be  enabled  to 
cast  aside  the  temptation  ;  and  to  go  forward  ';  strong 
in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his  might."  Is  the 
faithful  disciple  in  the  fire  of  persecution  ?  Is  he 
threatened  with  dangers  or  death  ?  The  good  Shep- 
herd will  lead  him  beside  the  still  waters.  The 
streams  of  heavenly  consolation  will  so  refresh  his 
soul,  that  he  will  be  enabled,  like  St.  Stephen  of  old, 
calmly  to  commit  his  spirit  to  the  care  of  his  Almighty 
Shepherd, — and  even  meekly  to  intercede  with  him  to 
have  mercy  upon  his  murderers  ! 

At  all  seasons,  and  in  all  circumstances,  the  Shep- 
herd conducts  his  flock  "  beside"'  the  still  waters  of  the 
Spirit  of  grace.  Nothing  but  their  own  sin  and  un 
belief  can  deprive  them  of  his  consoling  refreshments. 
The  Shepherd  is  ever  watchful,  lest  his  sheep  turn  to 
forbidden  cisterns,  and  seek  relief  where  it  never  can 
be  found.  He  leads  them  by  the  hand  of  their  out- 
ward circumstances,  and  by  the  inward  teachings  of 
His  Spirit,  to  quench  their  spiritual  thirst  at  the 
streams  of  Divine  truth.  Oh  what  reviving  wafers 
arc  enjoyed  by  the  fainting  soul,  when  the  Spirit  gives 
it  to  drink  of  the  everlasting  promises!  Dry  and 
empty  channels  they  may  have  seemed  before,  but 
now  they  are  as  "brooks  by  the  way"  to  a  thirsty 
traveller,  full  and  flowing  with  refreshment  !  What 
vigour  do  they  not  impart,  by  the  Spirit,  to  our  holiest 
resolutions  !     What  strengthening  of  the  understand 


STILL    WATERS.  85 

ing !  What  purifying  of  the  affections  !  What  re- 
viving of  the  faith  !  And  what  renewing  of  the  hope** ! 
•'Exceeding  great'1  indeed,  and  "precious"   arc   the 

"  promises"  of  God  !  They  are  soul-refreshing  streams, 
alike  unexhausted  and  inexhaustible  ! 

Oh  what  still  and  refreshing  waters  does  the  be- 
liever  enjoy  in  communion  with  his  God!  How 
blessed  are  the  hours  of  secret  prayer !  \\  e  feel  that 
we  are  alone  with  God  as  a  child  with  a  father  !  ~\\  e 
believe  that  we  are  accepted  before  him  in  the  right- 
eousness of  our  Elder  Brother.  We  realize  that  he  is 
pleading  on  our  behalf  before  his  Father  and  our  Fa- 
ther, before  his  God  and  our  God.  We  are  conscious 
that  the  Spirit  also  is  making  intercession  within  us 
with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered.  And  we 
are  thus  comforted  by  the  thought,  that  our  unworthy 
prayers  ascend  before  the  throne,  with  those  of  the 
Greal  High  Priest,  and  of*  the  Interceding  Spirit! 
What  an  amazing  privilege !  What  a  transcendent 
honour  !  The  praying  soul  is  brought  into  immedi- 
ate union  with  the  Triune  Jehovah!  The  King  of 
heaven  graciously  admits  the  believer  to  his  presence  ! 
He  condescends  to  listen  to  his  petitions  and  adora- 
tions, hi-  supplications  and  confessions,  his  praises  and 
his  thanksgivings.  The  Spirit  of  God  as  living  water, 
h  poured  forth  from  the  Eternal  Fountain.  The 
praying  soul  partakes  thereof,  and  h  strengthened. 
His  languishing  graces  are  revived.  He  is  led  beside 
the  still  water-  of  secrel  prayer,  and  i<  abundantly  re- 
freshed. The  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  the  heart 
of  the  believer  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  A  blessed  peace 
pervades  his  breast.  He  feels  that  he  need  thirst  no 
more:  for  the  water  which  Christ  has  given,  is  within 

8 


8G  STILL    WATERS. 

him  as  "  a  well  of  water,  springing  up  unto  everlast- 
ing life,"  John  iv.  14. 

Dost  thou  feel  within  thee,  O  reader,  a  deep,  con- 
stant, spiritual  thirst  ?  Every  member  of  our  fallen 
family  is  thirsting  after  rest  and  peace  and  happiness  ! 
Dost  thou  thirst  after  God;  in  whom  alone  these  are 
to  be  found  ?  Is  the  good  Shepherd  leading  thee  be- 
side the  "  still  waters  V  Canst  thou  say  with  the 
Psalmist,  "  As  the  hart  pantetli  after  the  water-brooks, 
so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God ;  my  soul  thirst- 
eth  for  God,  for  the  living  God,"  Psa.  xlii.  1.  "O 
God,  thou  art  my  God.  Early  will  I  seek  thee.  My 
soul  thirsteth  for  thee.  My  flesh  longeth  for  thee  in  a 
dry  and  thirsty  land  where  no  water  is  !'?  Psa.  lxiii. 
1.  If  these  be  the  longings  of  thy  soul,  follow  the 
leadings  of  thy  Shepherd,  and  they  shall  be  abund- 
antly satisfied ! 

Suffer  thyself,  then,  O  Christian,  to  be  led.  Pre- 
sume not,  at  any  time,  either  to  linger,  or  to  precede. 
Follow !  Go  after  thy  Shepherd !  Follow  him  pa- 
tiently, gladly,  and  constantly.  Keep  close  to  his 
footsteps.  Wheresoever  he  leads  thee,  he  will  open 
waters  of  life  and  peace.  Go,  unhesitating,  through 
this  dry  and  thirsty  land  of  sorrows,  trials,  and  disap- 
pointments. With  thy  Shepherd  before  thee,  thou 
shalt  be  assuredly  supplied.  "Bread  shall  be  given 
thee,  thy  waters  shall  be  sure."  "  In  the  wilderness 
shall  waters  break  out,  and  streams  in  the  desert,"  Isa. 
xxxv.  G.  Suffer  thyself,  then,  O  Christian,  to  be  led. 
High  as  may  be  ihe  mountain,  and  deep  as  may  be, 
the  valley,  still  follow  thy  Shepherd.  He  knows  thy 
j  need,  lie  will  not  forget  thy  thirst.  "When  the 
i  poor  and  the  needy  seek  water,  and  there  is  none,  and 
their  tongue   faileth  for   thirst,  I  the   Lord  will  hear 


STILL    WATERS.  87 

them,  I  (he  God  of  Jacob  will  not  forsake  them.  I 
will  open  rivers  in  high  places,  and  fountains  in  the 
midst  of  the  valleys.  I  will  make  the  wilderness  a 
pool  of  water,  and  the  dry  land  springs  of  water,"  lsa. 
xli.  17,  18.  Suffer  thyself,  then,  to  he  led  beside  these 
waters  of  rest  They  are  free  to  all.  The  most  un- 
worthy are  invited  to  drink.  The  most  despondent 
are  encouraged  to  partake.  Let  no  hurry  of  business 
delay— no  burdens  of  care  prevent  thee.  Let  not  the 
sorrows  of  thy  heart  prove  too  overwhelming  to  deter — 
no  joys  of  this  life  too  captivating  to  detain  thee,  from 
thy  God  !  With  him  is  the  fountain  of  life,  and  he 
will  make  thee  to  drink  of  the  river  of  his  pleasures, 
Psa.  \w\  i.  8. 

God  himself  i-  the  fountain,  and  God  in  our  nature 
is  the  fountain  opened,  Zech.  \iii.  1.  The  waters  of 
holiness  which  that  fountain  sends  forth,  and  these 
alone,  purify  and  refresh  the  immortal  spirit  of  man. 
They  impart  unending  life,  undecaying  health,  and 
everlasting  happiness.  Oh,  that  as  we  journey  on- 
ward we  may  be  more  and  more  enabled  to  testify 
that  we  "  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one  Spirit,'' 
1  Cor.  xii.  13.  The  good  Shepherd  freely  invites 
every  member  of  his  flock  to  partake  of  these  "still 
waters."  Under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  his 
voice  was  heard  saying,  "Ho,  ever)  one  thai  thirsteth, 
come  ye  to  the  waters,"  lsa.  Iv,  I  ;  and  at  the  close  of 
the  New  Testament,  his  last,  is  likewise  his  largest,  in- 
vitation: "The  Spirit  and  the  bride  say.  Come. 
And  let  him  that  heareth  Bay,  Come.  And  let  him 
that  is  athirst  come.  And  whosoever  will.  let  him 
take  the  water  of  life  freely.''  Rev.  xxii.  1".  To 
these  waters  of  rest,  the  good  Shepherd  continually 
calls  his  flock.     Reside  these  streams  of  holiness  and 


88  STILL    WATERS. 

peace,  he  has  from  the  beginning  tenderly  led  its  vari- 
ous members,  who  have  preceded  us  in  the  journey 
of  life.  Beside  these  waters  of  health  and  quietness, 
he  is  graciously  leading  his  feeble  sheep,  who  now 
tread  the  wilderness  of  this  world.  Beside  these  rivers 
of  life  and  salvation,  he  will  faithfully  lead  all  the 
members  of  his  flock,  who  may  ever  hereafter  be  found 
upon  the  earth.  And  when  these  successive  compa- 
nies of  the  past,  the  present,  and  the  future,  shall  have 
been  safely  conducted  through  the  deserts  and  dan- 
gers of  time,  and  gathered  together  into  one,  within 
the  heavenly  fold,  the  good  Shepherd  will  still  for  ever 
love,  and  still  for  ever  supply,  his  redeemed  and  joy- 
ous flock  ;  for  "  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto 
living  fountains  of  waters,"  Rev.  vii.  17.  Oh  that 
every  reader  may  be  enabled  then  and  now  to  testify, 
"He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters  !" 


RESTORING   THE   WANDERED. 


Verse  3. — He  restoreth  my  soul. 

The  wisdom,  the  power,  and  the  goodness  of  Hod, 
are  not  more  strikingly  exhibited  by  the  character 
and  the  office  of  a  shepherd,  than  an-  the  disposi- 
tions and  the  characters  of  men,  by  the  habits  and 
propensities  of  the  inmates  of  a  fold.  \  sheep  pre- 
sents in  many  respects  an  appropriate  emblem  of  a 
Binner.  It  is  weak.  It  is  defenceless.  One  while  it 
is  easily  led,  and  ;it  another  it  must  1m-  forcibly  driven- 
Ever  and  anon  if  manifests  two  opposite  propensities: 
the  one  of  wandering  from  the  fold,  and  the  other  of 
following  the  herd,  of  going  with  the  multitude.  And 
those  by  whom  it  is  most  familiarly  known,  have  not 
failed  t«>  remark,  that  under  it-  semblance  of  inno- 
cence, (licit-  often  li'-s  concealed  much  perversity  and 
Belf-will. 

( )i  these  several  characteristics  of  tin-  dumb  animal, 
the  Psalmist  selected  one,  remarkably  significant  of 
his  own  weakness  and  waywardness  as  a  -inner,  and 
of  the  grace  and  goodness  of  his  Lord  as  a  shepherd. 
The  sheep  often  wanner  from  the  fold,  and  David 
felt  that  his  heart  often  wandered  from  God.  He 
knew  that  there  linked  within  him.  by  nature,  a  con- 
stant proneness  to  err;  and  that  of  himself  he  could 
neither  resist  temptation,  nor  retrace  his  steps  when  he 

8* 


90  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

had  yielded.  With  gladness  and  gratitude,  therefore, 
does  he  thus  bear  testimony  to  the  kindness  and  the 
love,  the  power  and  the  watchfulness,  of  his  heavenly 
Shepherd,  "  tie  restoreth  my  soul." 

These  words  convey  two-fold  instruction.  They 
inform  us  not  only  that  God  is  a  Restorer,  but  teach 
us  also  by  implication,  that  David  was  a  wanderer. 
This  painful  truth  the  Psalmist  on  no  occasion  wishes 
to  conceal.  He  never  attempts  to  deny  or  to  palliate 
those  defections  with  which  he  was  chargeable  before 
God.  With  an  ingenuous  mind  he  continually  con- 
fesses them.  Listen  to  the  humbling  acknowledg- 
ment and  earnest  supplication  with  which  he  termi- 
nates his  long  psalm  of  deep  and  delightful  experience 
■— "  I  have  gone  astray  like  a  lost  sheep.  Seek  thy 
servant,  for  I  do  not  forget  thy  commandments/'  Psa. 
cxix.  176. 

How  forlorn  and  melancholy  is  the  condition  of  a 
sheep  that  has  wandered  from  the  fold  !  Its  former 
companions  are  safe  and  happy,  while  it  is  lonely  and 
miserable.  With  wearied  foot  the  sheep  traverses  the 
mountains,  and  fills  the  valleys  with  its  pitiful  bleat- 
ings.  At  every  step  it  takes,  distance  from  the  fold 
increases,  and  dangers  thicken  around.  Unhappy 
wanderer  !  whichever  way  it  turns  new  troubles  arise  ! 
The  eye  recognizes  now  no  familiar  object.  The 
ear  catches  no  friendly  sound.  It  gazes  around  with 
terror,  and  would  fain  return  to  the  fold.  Many  an 
exertion  to  get  back  is  made.  Hither  and  thither  it 
vainly  turns,  but  discovers  no  certain  track.  Again 
and  again  does  the  lonely  wanderer  put  forth  its  ut- 
most efforts.  It  breaks  through  the  briar.  It  bounds 
over  the  plain,  but  is  as  far  from  home  as  before. 
Suddenly  it  stands  to  gaze.     For  an   instant  it  anac- 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED.  (J1 

iously  listens,  and  (hen  hastens  away  in  an  opposite 
direction.  \\  earied  and  panting  in  this  restless  course, 
it  sinks  at  last  upon  the  heath.  There,  alas,  it  must 
perish,  Em  its  strength  is  exhausted.  The  darkness  of 
night  is  lapidly  closing,  and  the  ravenous  cry  of  the 
wild  beast  is  heard  in  the  forest.  And  is  the  poor 
fallen  wanderer  left  as  a  prey  to  the  destroyer  !-  Oh 
no!  a  friendly  arm  is  at  hand.  The  shepherd  had 
missed  his  wandered  sheep  :  he  had  hastened  to  search 
for  it :  and  now,  in  the  last  extremity  of  the  hapless 
creature,  he  finds  it,  lays  it  upon  his  shoulder,  and 
brings  it  hack  to  the  fold  with  joy  ! 

The  wandering  and  restoring  of  a  sheep,  i-  a  stri- 
king  picture  of  the  wandering  and  restoring  of  the 
soul!  What  a  melancholy  subject  for  contemplation 
is  a  backsliding  believer!  The  deceitfulness  of  his 
own  heart,  has  led  him  aside  from  the  right  way  ! 
He  has  become  wearied  of  the  fold,  and  lias  lo<t  his 
relish  for  its  pasture.  The  pleasures  of  the  world,  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  "the  pride  of  life,"  prove  more 
enticing  to  his  taste.  No  longer  marking  the  footsteps 
of  the  shepherd,  his  wistful  eye  fixes  upon  forbidden 
pastures.  Many  a  tempting  flower  seems  to  grow  lux- 
uriantly there.  And  though  he  hear- a  voice  of  re- 
monstrance within,  he  refuses  to  regard  it.  Stealth- 
ily he  leaves  the  fold  :  or  boldly  he  breaks  away  from 
it.  The  coveted  pasture  tastes  sweel  at  first  llij 
roving  feel  are  templed  forward,  and  for  a  brief  hour 
of  Bunshine,  he  fancies  that  he  is  happy.  Hut  the 
shades  of  evening  close  ;  the  cloudy  night  oi'  trouble 
gathers,  and  enemies  and  dangers  surround  him.  He 
begins  to  feel  thai  he  is  not  within  tin-  told.  He 
ders  at  the  change  he  inwardly  experiences.  His 
peace  of  mind  is  gone,  and  he  i-  at  enmity  with  him* 


92  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

self.  Dissatisfaction  has  taken  possession  of  his  breast : 
he  knows  not  what  to  do  for  rest.  He  hurries  from 
one  object  to  another  :  and  seeks  the  pleasures  of  the 
world  with  a  feverish  thirst.  He  knows  that  be  ou^ht 
to  return  to  the  fold,  but  has  now  lost  sight  of  the 
way.  Neither  heart  nor  resolution  remain  to  make 
him  search  for  it  with  diligence.  He  has  given  up 
the  daily  exercises  of  secret  prayer.  The  Holy  Bible 
has  become  to  him  a  volume  in  which  he  has  no 
pleasure.  Those  pious  friends,  with  whose  society  he 
was  wont  to  be  delighted,  he  now  either  despises  or 
avoids.  The  holy  sabbath  has  become  a  da}'  of  wea- 
riness or  of  frivolity.  And  seldom  or  never  does  his 
foot  turn  towards  the  house  of  God.  No  holy  love 
and  gratitude  to  the  Saviour  reign  within  his  bosom. 
No  hatred  of  sin  is  felt.  No  abhorrence  of  unholiness 
is  manifested.  His  moral  sense  is  well  nisrh  oblite- 
rated.  Alas  !  his  heart  has  become  hardened,  through 
the  deceitfulness  of  sin :  and  his  feet  are  caught  in 
the  snare  of  Satan.  He  has  fallen  !  lie  has  fallen  ! 
And  shall  he  ever  rise  again  ?  Yes,  blessed  be  God, 
there  is  a  Restorer.  The  good  Shepherd  loves  his 
sheep,  and  suffers  none  that  are  his  to  perish.  With 
anxious  solicitude  he  follows  them  in  all  their  wan- 
derings. With  eager  delight  he  seizes  them  in  the 
moment  of  their  extremity.  He  extricates  them  from 
difficulty.  He  delivers  them  from  danger.  He  brings 
them  back  into  his  fold.  And,  without  upbraiding 
their  folly,  or  their  ingratitude,  He  assures  them  of  his 
mercy,  and  enables  the  poor  wanderer  to  say,  "  He 
restoreth  my  soul." 

The  yearning  love  of  God  over  his  backsliding  people 
is  altogether  indescribable  !  He  longs  for  their  return. 
He  waits  that  he  may  be  gracicus.     He  cannot  bear  to 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED.  93 

cast  them  off.  Even  when  lie  complains  most  deeply 
of  their  ingratitude,  and  threatens  them  with  punish- 
ment, bis  heart  overflows  with  relentings.     "Return, 

thou  backsliding  Israel,  saith  the  Lord,  and  1  will  not 
cause  mine  anger  to  fall  upon  you  ;  for  I  am  merciful, 
saith  the  Lord,  and  I  will  not  keep  anger  for  ever," 
Jer.  iii.  12.  ';  My  people  are  bent  to  backsliding  from 
me.  Though  they  called  them  to  the  Most  High,  none 
at  all  would  exalt  him!  How  shall  I  give  thee  up, 
Ephraim'j  How  shall  I  deliver  thee,  Israel?  How 
shall  I  make  thee  as  Adinah  7  How  shall  I  set  thee 
as  Zcboim  ?  Mine  heart  is  turned  within  me,  my  re- 
pentings  are  kindled  together :  I  will  not  execute  the 
fierceness  of  mine  anger,  I  will  not  return  to  destroy 
Ephraim  :  for  I  am  God,  and  not  man,"  Hosea  xi.  7. 

How  cheering  and  instructive  is  it  to  learn  by  the 
Gospel  record  that  the  good  Shepherd  took  peculiar 
delight  in  discharging  this  part  of  his  pastoral  office  ! 
''The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost  !"  ••  \\  hat  man  of  you,"  he  inquires, 
"having  an  bundled  sheep,  if  he  lose  one  of  them, 
doth  not  leave  the  ninety  and  nine  in  the  wilderness, 
and  go  after  that  which  is  lost  until  he  find  it?  And 
when  he  hath  found  it.  helayeth  it  on  his  shoulders 
rejoicing.  And  when  he  cometh  home,  he  calleth  to- 
gether his  friends  and  neighbours.  -;i  \  ij ili'  unto  them. 
Rejoice  with  me,  for  I  have  found  my  Bheep  which 
was  lost  1  saj  unto  you,  that  likewise  joy  shall  be  in 
heaven  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  more  than  over 
ninety  and  nine  ju<t  persons,  who  need  no  repentance," 
Luke  xv.  1 — 7. 

It  is  on  interesting  and  important  inquiry,  In  what 
manner  does  the  good  Shepherd  commence  and  carry 
on  the  work  of  restoration  I     We  shall  answer  this,  by 


94  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

considering  first  the  Lord's  outward  providential  deal- 
ings with  the  backslider;  and,  secondly,  the  inward 
spiritual  work  by  which  he  regains  possession  of  his 
thoughts  and  of  his  affections. 

First,  then,  in  regard  to  the  Lord's  providential  deal- 
ings with  the  backslider,  we  remark,  that  he  "  waits  to 
be  gracious."  The  checks  of  conscience  ought  to  be 
enough  to  arrest  the  backslider  at  his  first  departure 
from  the  fold ;  but  these  he  disregards.  Instead  Oi 
exhibiting  repentance,  he  throws  off  restraint.  The 
path  of  sin  feels  easy  and  pleasant  to  his  foot.  He  ex- 
periences for  the  present  no  inward  horror,  and  meets 
for  a  time  with  no  outward  trouble.  All  things  seem 
so  smooth  and  inviting,  that  his  heart  is  lifted  up 
within  him.  Like  the  youthful  sailor  in  his  first 
voyage,  he  beholds  a  pleasant  sky,  and  enjoys  a  favour- 
able breeze,  and  the  idea  of  a  storm  or  of  a  shipwreck 
is  far  distant  from  his  mind.  Oh,  how  seductive  is  the 
broad  road  of  sin  !  The  backslider  thinks  only  of  his 
pleasant  path.  He  considers  not  that  the  goodness  and 
forbearance  of  God  arc  intended  to  "  lead  him  to  re- 
pentance," Rom.  ii.  4.  The  paternal  heart  is  yearning 
over  him,  and  the  paternal  hand  is  reluctant  to  smite. 
God  is  dealing  with  him  in  mercy.  When  that  fails, 
correction  is  not  only  administered,  but  increased  in 
proportion  as  hardness  of  heart  and  the  commission  of 
sin  advance.  "  The  backslider  in  heart  shall  receive 
correction.'1  The  easiness  of  his  downward  course  had 
tempted  him  to  a  swifter  pace,  and  suddenly  he  arrives 
where  two  opposite  courses  meet.  He  finds  himself 
unexpectedly  placed  in  circumstances  of  perplexity. 
This  is  the  second  mode  of  the  Lord's  dealings  with 
the  backslider.  He  causes  the  wandered  sheep  to  be 
caught,  as  it  were,  in  a  thicket,     lie  arrests  him  for  a 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED.  95 

time,  that  be  may  consider  his  sin  and  folly,  his  daager 
and  his  duty.  He  causes  his  course  to  he  thwarted, 
and  his  plans  to  he  defeated.  The  unhappy  back' 
slider  U  embarrassed  by  successive  disappointments. 
He  feels  as  if  everything  went  wrong  with  him,  with- 
out any  apparent  cause.  He  is  brought  to  his  wit's 
end.  A  call  of  dr.'y,  it  may  he,  summons  him  in  one 
direction,  while  his  darling-  sin  urges  him  in  another; 
he  would,  and  he  would  not.  Like  an  ox  led  to  the 
slaughter,  he  hangs  hack  for  a  moment,  and  then  pro- 
ceeds on  his  fatal  course.  Or  again,  he  is  called  upon 
to  act  with  vigour  and  resolution,  and  feeds  himself  un- 
steady and  wavering  in  his  determinations.  Instead 
of  attributing  all  this  to  his  sin,  he  regards  it  as  the 
mere  effect  of  outward  circumstances,  lie  was  obsti- 
nately deaf  t«i  the  remonstrances  of  his  own  faithful 
conscience,  and  he  is  now  wilfully  blind  to  the  over- 
turnings  <>t  a  frowning  providence.  In  very  love,  then, 
the  Correcting  rod  must  heat  last  administered.  This 
is  the  third  point  in  the  history  of  God's  outward  deal' 
inga  with  the  backslider.  Afflictions  of  various  kinds, 
and  of  different  degrees  of  severity,  now  meet  him  at 
successive  stages  of  his  progress.  Troubles,  sickness, 
poverty,  or  bereavements,  assail  him.  The  loss  <>t 
character,  of  friends,  of  station,  and  of  influence  is 
employed  to  humble  him.  Then  enemies  rise  up  in 
unexpected  quarters.  Aversion  and  contempt  are  ex- 
hibited  towards  him.  Life  becomes  a  burden,  and 
death  itself  i<  dreaded  and  coveted  by  turns  ! 

Such  are  some  of  the  most  prominent  modes  of 
providential  dealing,  with  which  the  Lord  exercises 
his  backsliding  children.  Every  wanderer  from  the 
fold  does  not  indeed  undergo  the  same  trials,  or  en- 
dure all  these  afflictions;  hut,  in  their  measure,  they 


96  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

are  experienced  by  every  individual  who  forsakes  the 
Lord.  One  case,  indeed,  there  is,  of  which  Scripture 
informs  us;,  as  an  awful  exception  to  this  general  rule. 
Better,  infinitely  better,  to  be  overtaken  by  the  utmost 
accumulation  of  afflictions,  than  to  be  the  subject  of 
that  solitary  exception !  When  the  voice  of  con- 
science has  been  stifled,  the  entreaties  of  friends  silen- 
ced, and  the  backslider  has  abandoned  himself  to  his 
iniquity,  he  sometimes,  indeed,  neither  suffers  afflic- 
tion, nor  experiences  remorse.  The  evening  of  his 
life  may  be  closing  in  an  untroubled  calm ;  but  it  is 
only  the  presage  of  that  coming  storm  of  the  Divine 
wrath  which  shall  rouse  him  to  everlasting  despair  ! 
God  in  heaven  may  have  said  regarding  him,  as  he 
did  of  Ephraim  of  old,  "  He  is  joined  to  his  idols.  Let 
him  alone !"  Hosea  iv.  17.  That  there  are  such  mis- 
erable transgressors,  men  who  are  "  to  every  good 
work  reprobate,"  Tit.  i.  16,  and  whose  consciences  are 
"  seared  as  with  an  hot  iron,"  1.  Tim.  iv.  2,  the  Scrip- 
tures plainly  testify.  St.  Jude,  ver.  12,  emphatically 
describes  them  as  men  who  feed  themselves  without 
fear, — as  clouds  without  water, — as  trees  without  fruit, 
twice  dead,  and  plucked  up  by  the  roots  !  Fearful  in- 
deed is  their  condition  !  How  awful  the  doom  that 
awaits  them  ! 

With  the  single  exception  of  this  fatal  class,  both 
Scripture  and  experience  teach  us  that  the  Lord  fails 
not  to  administer  the  rod  of  correction  to  all  his  back 
sliding  children.  He  docs  not  "  let  them  alone."  Trials 
of  various  kinds,  sooner  or  later,  overtake  them.  Yet 
affliction  never  softens.  Of  itself  it  can  produce  no 
favourable  change.  Instead  of  awakening  compunc- 
tion, it  excites  resistance,  fretfulness,  and  hardness  of 
heart.     To  these  outward  providential  dealings,  there- 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED.  97 

fore,  it  is  absolutely  necessary,  in  order  to  restoration, 
that  there  ho  superadded  a  powerful  work  on  (he  heart 
of  the  backslider  by  the  Spirit  of  grace.  This  opens 
the  second  inquiry  which  we  proposed  for  considera- 
tion. 

What  is  that  inward  spiritual  process  by  which  the 
LiOrd  retrains  possession  of  the  thoughts  and  the  affec- 
tions of  the  backslider  /  The  inward,  we  remark,  not 
unfrequently  accompanies  the  outward  work.  The 
Spirit  uses  the  instrumentalities  of  providence.  His 
spiritual  work  of  restoration  commences  in  the  con- 
science of  the  backslider.  Its  long-silenced  note  is 
now  awakened.  A  still  small  voice  falls  upon  his  in- 
ward ear.  He  hears  its  whispers  in  the  crowded  street, 
in  the  busy  mart,  and  in  the  frivolous  throng.  J3y 
day.  by  night,  it  proves  a  ceaseless  monitor.  Sleeping 
or  waking,  he  cannot  silence  it  for  any  length  of  time. 
Conscience  sounds  a  perpetual  alarm  within  him,  and 
he  can  find  no  rest. 

The  Spirit  of  God,  having  thus  awakened  the  con- 
science of  the  backslider,  proceeds  to  make  his  darling 
sin  distasteful  to  him.  The  coveted  object  for  which 
he  forsook  his  Cod,  begins  to  lose  its  charm  in  his 
eyes.  It-  excessive  enjoyment  palls  upon  his  taste. 
Not  only  dues  conscience  cause  him  to  regard  himself 
with  abhorrence,  but  the  Spirit  of  <  rod  now  causes  bim 
also  to  abhor  his  idol.  He  feels  that  it  has  obtained 
a  mastery  over  him.  Be  hates  its  galling  chain.  As 
was  ib,>  nature  of  his  sin.  BO  is  now  its  stim_r.  Every 
sin  has  its  own  peculiar  bitterness.  The  poor  back- 
slider is  now  convinced  that  the  pleasures  he  pursued 
are  pains. —that  \\i0  friends  with  whom  he  associated 
are  enemies,  —that  the  wealth  which  enamoured  him 
is  deceitful, — that  the  beautv  which  en'iced   him  is  a 

9 


98  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

fading  flower, — and  that  his  so  called  happiness  is 
nothing  better  than  a  delusive  dream. 

When  sin  has  thus  become  a  burden  to  the  back- 
slider, he  is  made  deeply  conscious  of  his  alienation 
from  God.  He  perceives  that  all  this  misery  has  be- 
fallen him,  because  he  had  departed  from  his  God. 
An  irresistible  conviction  constrains  him  to  confess, 
"  Had  I  not  first  forsaken  God,  he  would  not  have  forsa- 
ken me  !"  Bitter  is  the  thought  of  having  grieved  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  crucified  afresh  the  Saviour  that  re- 
deemed him.  The  absence  of  the  Lord  from  his  soul, 
is  now  to  him  the  very  essence  of  misery.  It  feels  to 
him  as  a  foretaste  of  eternal  torment. 

When  thus  the  root  of  the  evil  is  laid  bare,  and 
when  the  backslider  is  brought  to  feel  and  to  say  with 
David,  "  Against  thee,  thee  only  (or  principally)  have 
I  sinned,"  the  work  of  restoration  advances  rapidly 
within  his  heart.  He  now  earnestly  sighs  for  deliver- 
ance. "  Oh  that  it  were  witli  me  as  in  months  past, 
when  the  candle  of  the  Lord  shone  upon  my  taberna- 
cle !"  He  longs  for  admission  to  the  happy  fold  which 
he  had  forsaken.  Like  the  prodigal  son,  in  the  parable, 
he  would  crave  readmission  to  his  fathers  bouse,  though 
it  were  but  to  occupy  a  place  amongst  the  lowest  of  bia 
menials.  The  backslider,  under  the  drawings  of  the 
Spirit,  now  gives  himself  to  earnest  and  persevering 
prayer.  He  weeps  and  mourns.  He  acknowledge* 
his  sins.  He  implores  mercy.  He  pleads  for  the  for 
givenessof  bis  backsliding.  He  beseeches  the  Lord  u 
be  favourable  to  him  again.  "Have  mercy  upon  me 
O  God,  according  to  thy  Loving  kindness:  according 
to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out  my 
transgressions.  Create  n  me  a  clean  heart,  0  God, 
and  renew  a  right  spit  it  within   me.     Cast  me  not 


RESTORI.No     Ill  I ;    WANPFRED.  09 

away  from  thy  presence,  and  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit 
from  me.  Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thv  salvation, 
and  uphold  me  with  thy  free  Spirit."  Psa.  li.  12.  To 
these  Becret  exercises  in  his  closet,  the  backslider  adds 
a  diligent  use  of  all  the  other  means  of  grace.  He 
peruses  (he  sacred  volume  with  redoubled  earnestness. 
He  waits  upon  God  in  hi<  sanctuary,  tie  hallows  the 
holy  sabbath.  He  cultivates  the  society  of  those  who 
fear  the  Lord;  and  is  unceasingly  anxious  to  have 
hi<  spiritual  life  rekindled,  his  spiritual  energies  invig- 
orated, and  his  spiritual  joys  restored. 

The  soul  of  the  backslider  is  thus  effectually  roused 
by  the  quickening  Spirit.  I  lis  conscience  becomes 
more  and  more  tender.  His  hatred  of  sin  deeper.  His 
contrition  and  self-abhorrence  unceasing.  Thoughts 
revive  that  had  lain  dormant  in  his  heart.  He  thinks 
of  wh.it  he  hasdone  by  hi<  sins.  He  thinks  on  what 
he  has  lost  by  his  backsliding.  How  much  felicity  he 
has  forfeited!  How  many  temptations  he  bas  invited! 
What  grievous  ingratitude  he  has  exhibited!  He 
mourns  over  his  unfixed  and  wandering  thoughts. 
lie  aighs.  ||(.  groans.  He  breathes  and  pants  after 
God.  Oh,  how  intensely  dor-  be  long  to  feel  again 
the  life  and  power  of  godliness  in  his  soul!  Hebe- 
comes  watchful,  Bober,  circumspect  He  denies  self- 
takes  up  his  cross— and  resolves  to  spend  and  to  be 
spent  in  his  Blaster's  service.  By  degrees  he  i-  en- 
abled to  appropriate  some  one  or  more  of  the  gracious 
promises  of  mercy.     His  faith  is  i\-d  anew  upon  the 

\\>rd   of  God.   and   geins  strength  and  vigour.      Love 

to  God  and  man  begins  to  warm  and  to  animate  his 
affections.  Hope  revives  within  his  bosom,  and  Bheds 
a  pleasing  light  over  all  his  thoughts  and  prospects. 

He  flees  to  the  blood  of  Christ  for  full  rend—ion  of  the 


lUO  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

past.  He  trusts  to  the  intercession  of  Christ  for  gra- 
cious acceptance  at  the  present.  And  he  leans  upon 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  to  uphold  him  effectually  for 
the  future.  Sin  has  now  lost  its  dominion  over  him. 
The  world  is  stripped  of  its  delusive  charms.  "  The 
lusts  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of 
life,"  have  become  odious  in  his  sight.  He  loves  holi- 
ness. He  delights  in  virtue.  His  highest  happiness 
is  to  obtain  communion  with  his  God.  "  Whom  have 
I  in  heaven,"  he  exclaims,  "but  thee?  and  there  is 
none  upon  the  earth  that  I  desire  in  comparison  of 
thee."  The  powerful  stirrings  of  the  Spirit  of  adoption 
within  his  heart  enable  him  to  cry  "Abba,  Father." 
He  feels  that  he  is  now  brought  back  into  the  fold  of  the 
good  Shepherd  ;  and  gratefully  exclaims,  "  He  restoreth 
my  soul !" 

This  declaration  of  the  Psalmist  comprehends,  how- 
ever, other  cases  besides  that  of  the  open  backslider : 
it  is  applicable  to  all  who  experience  restoration  in  any 
measure  from  the  languor  of  spiritual  decay.  The 
Psalmist  uses  the  present  tense,  "  lie  restoreth," — as 
if  he  were  conscious  of  continual  declensions,  of  daily 
tendencies  to  earth,  and  forgetfulness  of  heavenly 
things,  and  that  his  spiritual  Shepherd  unceasingly 
interposed  to  restore  and  preserve  his  soul.  Alas  !  it 
is  the  natural  tendency  of  our  hearts  to  forget  God. 
The  Lord  himself  complains,  "  My  people  are  bent  to 
backsliding  from  me."  How  transient  are  our  liveliest 
feelings  !  How  weak  our  strongest  resolutions  !  I  [aw 
mingled  and  unworthy  our  purest  motives!  How 
short  and  interrupted  is  our  closest  intercourse  with 
God!  Nothing  touches  the  heart  of  the  sincere  Chris- 
tian so  painfully  as  his  proneness  to  spiritual  declen- 
sion.    It  daily  grieves  him.     li  hourly  convinces  hun 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED.  101 

of  the  innate  corruption,  deceitfulness,  and  desperate 
wickedness  of  his  own  heart.     The  hostility,  too,  of 
Satan  is  felt  to  be  a  reality.     His  agency  is  proved  to 
be  active  and  unceasing,  by  the  hindrances  and  diffi- 
culties  that   occnr,  the  sudden  suggestions  of  delay, 
and  feelings  of  disinclination,  that  arise,  when  he  pro- 
i  to  give  himself  to  prayer.     The  most  unexpect- 
ed and   trifling  incident  will  sometimes   prevent    the 
discharge  of  the  duty  altogether,  or  so  mar- its  spirit 
and  fervency,  as  to  deprive  him  of  the  strength,  the 
consolation,  and   the    refreshment   which    he    should 
otherwise  obtain.     The  spirits  of  evil  are  coisiantly 
on  the  watch  to  discourage,  to  deceive,  and  to  defile 
his  soul.     Or  again,  the  lawful  occupations  of  life  en- 
gross too  much  of  hi<  attention;  cares  increase;  the 
things  of  the  world  insidiously  rise  in  his  estimation, 
and  the  power  of  vital  godliness  is  proportionably  les- 
sened.    Outwardly  the  Christian  appears  the  same  as 
before.     Neither  in  the  family,  nor  in  his  public  ('..No- 
tions, may  the  declension  be  observed;  yet  the  ten- 
derness of  his  conscience  is  injured.     The  secret  du- 
ties of  self-examination,  and  reading  of  the  word,  ol 
meditation,  and  of  prayer,  are  hastened  over,  or  omit- 
ted.     Alas!   the  warmth  and   fervour  of    his  devotion 
are  decaying.     He  is  not  so  Berious,  bo  active,  90  zeal- 
ous as  lie  was  before.     Duties  are  performed  only  to 
quiet  the  upbraidings  of  his  conscience.     There  is  no 
heart  toward-  them.     Plausible  excuses  are  framed  or 
imagined  for  their  neglect.     The  slightest  hindrance 
is  deemed  a  sufficient  apology  lor  absence  from  the 
means  of  grace.     His  heart  is  sunk  into  a  lifeless,  stu- 
pid state.     Unbelief  beclouds  the  soul     It  is  cold  or 
lukewarm.     It  is  dull  and  careless.     1'  ia  backward 
and  avene  to  be  alone  with  God.    The  thoughts  war.- 

9' 


102  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

der  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  !  Ob,  melancholy  state  ! 
Oh,  wretched  condition  !  The  servant  of  the  Lord 
beguiled  by  Satan  !  The  child  of  God  estranged  from 
its  Father  ! — shunning  his  presence  !—  and  become 
weary  of  his  converse  and  fellowship  !  . 

Of  how  many,  alas  !  may  it  be  said,  that  though 
they  have  not  fallen  into  open  sin,  yet  that  they  are 
not  as  they  once  were  in  Christian  devotedness  !  Like 
the  church  of  Ephesus  they  may  be  known  by  their 
"works,"  and  their  "labour,"  and  their  "patience," 
and  that  they  "cannot  bear  them  that  are  evil." 
They  may  have  "  suffered  much  for  Christ's  name's 
sake,"  and  "  not  have  fainted  ;"  "  nevertheless  he  may 
have  somewhat  against  them,  because  they  have  left 
their  first  love,"  Rev.  ii.  1.  Is  this  thy  case,  O  Chris- 
tian reader?  "  Remember  from  whence  thou  art  fall- 
en." Repent  and  do  the  first  works  :  lest  thy  candle- 
stick be  quickly  removed  out  of  its  place  !  Examine 
thyself  honestly.  Probe  thine  own  heart.  Linger 
not  in  a  state  of  spiritual  slumber.  Gain  time,  make 
time,  for  self-examination.  Where  is  the  delight  with 
which  the  ordinances  of  God  were  wont  to  be  enjoyed  ? 
Where  is  the  love,  the  pure  and  glowing  love,  to  God 
and  man,  which  once  burned  within  thee?  Where 
are  now  thy  tears  over  thoughtless  sinners  that  weep 
not  for  themselves?  Where  is  thy  fervency  in  prayer, 
thy  abhorrence  of  all  sin,  and  thy  faithfulness  in  re- 
proving it?  Oh,  reader,  hast  thou  left  thy  fust  love? 
Are  the  consolations  of  God  small  with  thee  /  Flee 
to  thy  closet,  fall  upon  thy  knees.  Weep  before 
thy  God.  "Only  acknowledge  thine  iniquity,  that 
thou  hast  transgressed  against  the  Lord  thy  God." 
And  he  will  graciously  restore  thy  soul,  and  say  unto 


RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 


103 


thee,  "I  will  heal  thy  backsUding.     I  will  love  thee 
freely  ;  for  mine  anger  i<  turned  away  from  thee." 

But  again,  basl  thou  fallen  from  the  Ephesian  into 
the  Laodicean  Btate  I     Art  thou,  0  Christian,  become 
"lukewarm"    in    thy  discipleship ?     Is    thy   religious 
profession  neither  "cold  aor  hot?''     Thy  Lord  would 
rather  that   thou   wert  altogether   cold,   than    luke- 
warm !    -  1  would  thuu  wert  either  cold  or  hot."    Dost 
thou  deceive  thyself  as  though  thou  hadst  a  Btock  oi 
grace,  and  stood  in  need  of  Qothing  from  thy  God? 
Sayesl  thou,  -I  am  rich,  and  increased  with  goods'? 
Has!  thou  forgotten  that  by  nature  thou  art  "wretch- 
ed, and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked? 
oh.  take  "counsel."     Take  counsel  from  "the  faith- 
ful and  true  Witness."     He  is  knocking,  by  this  en- 
treaty, at  the  door  of  thy  heart!     Dost  thou  hear  his 
-    Oh.  he  listless  and  slothful  do  longer!    Arise! 
Open  the  door!     He  will  come  into  thy  heart,  and 
freely    bestow   the  fellowship  of  his  Love  upon  thee! 
Overcome  this  lukewarmness.     Be  entreated  to  strive 
habitually  against  it.    Wrestle  for  thy  life.    "Strength- 
en the  things  that  remain,  thai  are  ready  to  die.     "As 
many  as  God  loves,  he  rebukes  and  chastens.      "Be 
zealous,  therefore,  and  repent"     Arouse  thee,  O  Chris- 
tian.    Cry  t..  the  Spirit  of  life  to  rouse  up  thy  slum- 
bering sou!.    Inactivity  is  a  forerunner  of  death.    Oh, 
"grieve  no.  the  Spirit.-'     "Quench   not   the  Spirit" 
"Resist  not  the  Spirit."     Persevere  in  earnesl  prayer 
till  thy  hard  heart  he  melted,  and  the  seal  ot  forgiving 
love  be  again  impressed  upon  it  by  the  Spirit  ot  the 
uving  God.     The  good  Shepherd  will  give  thee  en- 
ergy and  vigour   of  determination.     He  will  enable 
thee  to  overcome  all  sloth,  and  listlessness,  and  back- 
diding.      *nd  he  wiU  restore  thj  soul  from  th,  weak- 


104  RESTORING    THE    WANDERED. 

ness  and  wanderings  of  thy  thoughts,  from  the  dulncss 
and  deadness  of  thy  affections,  from  the  fears  and  the 
faintings  of  thy  spirit,  to  health,  and  holiness,  and 
peace — to  a  firm  faith,  a  glowing  love,  an  aniinating 
hope — to  walk  in  the  paths  of  righteousness — to  taste 
the  joys  of  his  salvation-1— and  to  enjoy  the  fellowship 
of  thy  God ! 


PATHS  OF   RIGHTEOUSNESS. 


Verse  3. — He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness for  his  name's  sake. 

In  eastern  countries  the  shepherd  '-goes  before'"'  his 
flock,  lie  "leadeth  them  out,"  John  x.  3.  The 
sheep  know  his  voice,  and  they  gladly  follow  where- 
evcr  he  conducts  their  steps.  Experience  teaches 
them  that  the  paths  he  chooses,  are  invariably  the 
best,  hoth  for  their  pasturage  and  for  their  security. 
Of  all  the  members  of  the  flock,  we  can  suppose  none 
to  he  more  sensible  of  this  fact  :  —none  to  I"-  more 
willing  to  cleave  close  to  the  shepherd; — none  more 
ready  to  follow  implicitly  wheresoever  be  is  pleased  to 
lend,  than  those  whom  he  had  jus!  before  reclaimed 
from    wandering!     'They  had    fully  proved    thereby 

both  their  own  folly  and  their  shepherd's  kindness  : 
and  now  that  they  hear  his  voice  "calling  his  own 
sheep  by  name."  and  "going  before   them."  will    they 

not  be  the  most  diligenl  to  follow  his  footsteps,  and  the 
most  determined  to  adhere  to  the  path  he  has  chosen, 
(however  narrow,  and  rugged,  and  even  dangerous,  it 
may  appear,}  as  the  best,  and  the  safest,  yea.  and  the. 

only  r i li h t  road  which  they  can  pursue  .'      Such  is  the 

conclusion  of  every  restored  member  of  the  flock  of 
<  Ihrist  !  He  i<  restored  not  only  to  pence,  but  to  purity 
— not  onh   to  happiness,  hut   to  holiness — not  only  to 


106  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

safety,  but  1o  obedience  !  This,  we  perceive,  was  the 
experience  of  the  Psalmist.  He  could  not  only  affirm, 
as  an  instance  of  his  Shepherd's  kindness,  "  He  re- 
storeth  my  soul,"  but  he  could  also  add,  as  a  proof  of 
the  reality  of  his  own  restoration,  "  He  leadeth  me  in 
the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his  name's  sake." 

These  comprehensive  words  direct  our  attention  to 
three  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  sacred  Scriptures. 
In  the  first  place,  they  point  out  to  us,  in  the  person 
of  the  Psalmist,  what  is  the  nature  of  that  great 
blessing  which  the  Lord  confers  upon  his  people, 
"  He  leadeth  me."  Secondly,  they  show  us  where  he 
invariably  leads  them,  "in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness." And  lastly,  they  reveal  to  us  the  reason  u-hij 
the  Lord  thus  leads  his  people  in  the  paths  of  right- 
eousness, "  for  his  name's  sake." 

In  the  first  place,  then,  we  here  observe  that  the 
mind  of  the  Psalmist  is  intently  fixed  on  the  inesti- 
mable blessing  of  being  led  of  God.  This  is  the 
second  time  that  he  has  unequivocally  testified  his 
obligation  to  the  leadings  of  his  Shepherd.  His 
defections  and  restoration  occur  between  the  two-fold 
experience  of  having  been  led  beside  still  waters,  and 
of  being  led  in  paths  of  righteousness.  The  Shepherd 
must  not  only  "  call  his  sheep,"  he  must  also  "  load 
vhcm  out."  He  must  lead  them  at  first  from  the 
world  into  his  fold  :  and  from  their  returnings  to  the 
world,  he  must  lead  them  back  into  his  fold  again. 
Even  to  the  river  of  his  pleasures  he  must  conduct 
them,  as  well  as  along  the  narrow  paths  of  obedience. 
From  first  to  last  the  believer  is  led  of  God.  No! 
a  single  step  can  he  take  heavenward,  but  under  the 
leading  of  the  good  Shepherd.  How  can  the  pool 
Billy  sheep  discern  the  only  risrht  way,  when  there  are 


PATHS   OF    aiQHTEOUSNl  10? 

ten  thousand  paths  diverging  to  the  tight  hand  and  to 

the  left?  liven  alter  the  believer  lias  wandered— 
after  he  has  bitterly  felt  how  grievous  a  thing  it  is  to 
go  astray  from  Ciod — he  cannot  he  trusted  to  act  as  his 
own  guide.  "0  Lord,  1  know  that  the  way  oi  man 
is  Qot  in  himself.  It  is  not  in  man  that  walketh 
to  direct  his  steps,"  Jer.  \.  23.  The  severest  Lessons 
cannot  render  him  trustworthy,  or  teach  him  to  walk 
by  himself.  Uh.no!  The  Shepherd  must  be  still 
his  leader.  He  it  is  who  must  choose  out  his  everj 
path — direct  his  ever)  step— order  every  event— form 
every  plan— regulate  every  desire— and  go  before  him 
every  moment !  To  this  truth  David  bears  distinct 
and  oft  repeated  testimony  throughout  this  psalm. 
All  the  abundance  he  enjoyed,— all  the  protection  he 
experienced,  was  derived  entirely  from  his  Shepherd. 
"  I  recline  amid  green  pastures,  but  it  is  my  Shepherd 
who  maketh  me  to  lie  down!  1  partake  of  BtilJ 
waters,  because  it  is  my  Shepherd  who  lead-  me  con- 
tinually beside  them !  1  am  brought  back  from  my 
wanderings,  for  it  is  his  mercy  alone  that  restoreth  my 
soul !  \ml  1  am  now  walking  in  the  paths  of  right- 
eousness, onlj  because  my  shepherd  condescends  tc 
lead  me  in  them  for  his  own  name's  sake  '." 

Every  circumstance  in  our  earthly  history,  is  ap- 
pointed and  designed,  by  our  heavenly  Shepherd,  to 
Lead  us  forward  in  the  paths  of  righteousness.  Our 
time  and  place  of  birth,   our  ■   in  society,  Our 

amount  o[  education,  our  relatives  and  friend-,  our 
business  and  profession,  our  duties  and  responsibili- 
ties, our  successes  and  reverses,  our  joys  and  sorrows, 
our  health  or  sickness,  our  Btrength  or  weakness,  our 
wealth  or  poverty,  are  all  among  the  providential 
means  by  which   the  good  Shepherd  Leads  his  people. 


LOS  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

He  leads  us,  also,  by  his  Spirit  working  in  our  hearts. 
"  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are 
the  sons  of  God,"  Rom.  viii.  14.  Emotions  are  awa- 
kened and  impressions  are  produced,  it  may  be,  while 
we  are  yet  young.  Conscience  is  enlightened,  and 
taught  to  act  the  part  of  a  faithful  monitor.  The 
word  of  God  is  opened  to  the  understanding.  Its 
warnings  are  applied,  and  its  promises  are  appropri- 
ated, under  the  teaching  of  the  good  Spirit.  In 
prayer,  in  praise,  in  social  worship,  He  leads  our 
thoughts,  and  draws  forth  our  affections.  "Whei 
tempted  to  go  astray,  the  Holy  Spirit  leads  us  for- 
ward in  the  right  path.  His  voice  whispers  within 
us,  "  This  is  the  way :  walk  ye  in  it."  The  Spirit 
of  God  not  only  thus  directs  and  encourages,  but 
also  graciously  persuades  and  determines,  our  hearts 
to  follow  the  good  Shepherd.  He  teaches  us  to  say, 
"  Draw  me,  and  we  will  run  after  thee."  "  I  will  run 
the  way  of  thy  commandments  when  thou  hast  en 
larged  my  heart !" 

The  spiritual  Shepherd  thus  leads  his  flock  by  the 
outward  dispensations  of  his  providence,  and  by  the 
inward  monitions  of  his  Spirit.  And  though  neither 
the  fact,  nor  the  manner,  of  his  leading,  may  be  fully 
known  to  them  at  the  time,  yet  sooner  or  later  Hi 
enables  them  to  recognise  both  who  it  is  that  so  gra- 
ciously leads  them,  and  who  it  is  that  so  sweetly  con 
strains  them  to  follow. 

This  expression  of  the  Psalmist.  "  he  leadeth  me,' 
evidently  implies  not  only  the  precedence  and  gui- 
dance of  the  Shepherd,  but  likewise  the  obedient 
following  of  the  sheep.  All  the  Hock  of  the  good 
Shepherd  are  made  willing  to  be  led.  We  are  drawn 
of  the  Father,   through    the  love  of  the  Lord  Jesua, 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  109 

and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Love  constrains 
us.  "\Ve  yield  with  thankfulness  to  heavenly  lead- 
ings, and  cheerfully  follow  in  the  appointed  path--. 
"We  feel,  however,  that  we  daily  need  to  be  kept  in  a 
broken  and  weaned  frame  of  mind,  that  we  may  be 
always  willing  to  be  led  of  God.  Our  affections  must 
be  Banctified,  and  our  wills  subdued,  by  the  Spirit  of 
grace,  before  we  can  become  obedienl  and  faithful 
followers  of  the  good  Shepherd.  The  Holy  Spirit 
must  both  direct  and  dispose  us  to  enti  r  into  his  paths. 
The  Holy  Spirit  must  continually  enable  us  to  walk 
therein.  The  Holy  Spirit  alone  can  strengthen  as  to 
persevere  in  them  unto  the  end.  Every  true  believer 
is  thus  made  willing  and  anxious  to  follow  the  good 
Shepherd.  He  keeps  his  eye  steadily  fixed  upon  his 
Lord.  His  ear  is  ever  attentive  to  hear  his  voire  in 
the  Scriptures  of  truth,  and  in  the  dispensations  of 
providence.  "Looking  unto  Jesus"  i~  the  Christian's 
motto.  With  this  he  begins,  continues,  and  terminates 
his  course.  1  le  follows  his  Shepherd,  and  he  is  always 
right!  He  follows  his  Shepherd,  and  he  is  always 
safe!  lie  follows  his  Shepherd,  and  he  is  always  sup- 
plied !  Blessed  are  they  tii.it  an-  thus  made  willing 
to  be  ••followers  of  ( iod."  lie  that  hath  mercy  upon 
them  Bhall  lead  them  in  a  good  way,  wherein  the) 
shall  not  Btumble.  None  shall  be  weary  nor  halt 
among  them.  A  pillar  of  lire  shall  he  their  light  by 
ni<_rht.  A  cloud  of  refreshing  shade  shall  he  their 
guide  by  day.  They  wander  not  in  darkness  as  oilier 
men.  They  both  know  whither  they  go,  and  the  way 
they  know.  They  follow  not  their  Shepherd  blindfold. 
They  understand  where  he  invariably  guides  their 
steps,  and  are  each  enabled  to  declare.  ••  He  leadeth  me 
in  the  oaths  of  righteousness." 

10 


110  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

This  is  the  second  of  those  vitally  important  doc- 
trines, which  the  Pslamist  here  places  before  us.  If 
any  seeker  of  the  way  to  Zion  inquire,  Where  does 
the  good  Shepherd  lead  his  flock?  here  is  the  answer, 
"  In  the  paths  of  righteousness  !"  He  calls  his  Hock 
to  follow  in  those  very  paths  where  he  himself  lias 
walked.  His  foot  never  trod  the  ways  of  sin.  Search 
for  its  print-marks,  and  they  will  be  found  only  "  in 
the  paths  of  righteousness  !" 

The  religion  revealed  from  heaven  is  pre-eminently 
a  religion  of  "  righteousness  !"  Whatever  may  be  the 
inconsistencies  of  its  professors,  let  it  be  tried  on  its 
own  merits.  Holiness  to  the  Lord  is  emblazoned  on 
every  page.  Righteousness  toward  God  and  man  is 
the  basis  of  all  its  enactments.  "  I  lead  in  the  way 
of  righteousness  ;  in  the  midst  of  the  paths  of  judg- 
ment," Prov.  viii.  20.  "  Righteousness  and  judgment 
are  the  habitation  (or  basis)  of  God's  throne,"  Psa. 
xcvii.  2.  In  all  the  paths  of  righteousness  the  good 
Shepherd  has  left  an  example  to  his  Hock  that  they 
should  follow  his  steps.  Never  does  he  command  them 
to  enter  upon  a  path  which  he  has  not  himself  trod- 
den. Of  no  other  teacher  that  ever  appeared  on  earth, 
can  it  be  affirmed,  that  his  precepts  and  his  practice 
perfectly  and  invariably  harmonized.  Carefully  ex- 
amine the  Gospel  record,  and  it  will  be  found,  that 
every  action  of  the  Saviour's  life  was  marked  by  the 
most  pure  and  perfect  righteousness.  The  path  on 
which  Christ  walked,  was  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 
Love  to  God  and  love  to  man  prompted  all  bis  thoughts, 
his  words,  and  works.  Yet  it  is  the  very  righteousness 
of  this  way  of  the  Lord  which  causes  it  to  appear 
straight  and  narrow  to  sinful  men.  Our  broad  way 
of  sin  must  appear  narrow  and  difficult    to  the  holy 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.    .  Ill 

angels,  and  its  entrance  strait.  To  pure  and  perfect 
beings,  the  way  of  holiness  is  broad  and  free  ; — as  plain 
as  it  is  pleasant.  Their  wills  move  in  harmony  with 
the  will  of  God,  and  therefore  they  roam  at  pleasure 
over  all  his  work-  and  ways.  But  the  will  and  the 
ways  of  man.  are  QOt  in  unison  with  those  of  the 
Most  High.  Truth  and  falsehood,  Bin  and  holiness, 
light  and  darkness,  are  not  more  opposite  to  each  other, 
than  are  the  ways  of  God  to  the  ways  of  the  -inner. 
The  love  of  Christ  cannot  dwell  together  in  the  same 
heart  with  the  love  of  sin.  "Little  children,"  says  the 
apostle,  "let  no  man  deceive  you.  lie  that,  doeth 
righteousness  is  righteous,  even  as  he  is  righteous,"  1 
John  iii.  10.  Unless  we  earnestly  endeavour  to  bridle 
the  tongue,  t<>  curb  the  temper,  to  subdue  envious,  un- 
charitable, and  covetous  thoughts,  and  to  mortify  every 
sinful  desire  and  appetite,  we  but  deceive  ourselves 
with  the  name  of  " Christian."  The  Lord  has  une- 
quivocally de<  hired.  ••  Whosoever  doth  not  bear  his 
cross,  and  come  after  me,  cannot  be  my  disciple,'1  Luke 
\iv.  27.  The  very  name  of  Saviour  is  bestowed  upon 
our  I  iord,  because  "  he  saves  his  people  from  their  sins," 
Matt.  i.  21.  The  great  blessing  which  he  was  sent 
upon  earth  to  confer,  was,  to  (<  turn  awa}  everj  one  of 
us  from  our  iniquities,"  lets  iii.  26.  Oh  best  of  bless- 
ings! Deliverance  from  sin!  Emancipation  from 
the  thraldom  of  evil  thoughts,  idle  words,  and  unprof- 
itable actions!  ••Then  will  1  sprinkle  (dean  water 
upon  yon.  and  ye  >hall  he  clean:  from  all  your  lilthi- 
ness,  and  from  all  your  idols,  will  I  cleanse  you.  A 
new  heart,  also,  will  1  give  yon.  and  a  new  spirit  will 
1  put  within  you;  and  1  will  take  away  the  stony 
heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart 
of  flesh.       Vnd  I  will   put    my   Spirit   within   you,  and 


11.2  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye  shall  keep 
my  judgments,  and  do  them,"  Ezek.  xxxvi.  25 — 27. 

The  path  of  righteousness  is  dear  to  the  Christian. 
Behold  him  walking  therein  !  He  follows  closely  in 
the  footsteps  of  Iris  Shepherd.  He  resolves,  by  grace, 
that  he  will  never  turn  aside  from  them  ;  but  press 
forward  with  increasing  alacrity.  At  times,  indeed, 
he  walks  with  weeping,  and  is  led  onward  with  sup- 
plications, Jer.  xxxi.  9.  He  mourns  over  the  slowness 
of  his  progress,  and  bitterly  weeps,  when  he  reflects 
how  much  farther  he  ought  to  have  been  advanced. 
His  heart  is  grieved  at  its  own  weakness  ;  its  liability 
to  stumble,  and  to  go  astray.  His  supplications,  there- 
fore, become  the  more  constant  and  importunate.  "  Oh 
send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth.  Let  them  lead  me, 
let  them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to  thy 
tabernacles."  "  Hold  up  my  goings  in  thy  paths,  that 
my  footsteps  slip  not."  "Cause  me  to  know  the  way 
wherein  I  should  walk :  for  1  lift  up  my  soul  unto 
thee."  "  Teach  me  to  do  thy  will,  for  thou  art  my 
God."  "  Thy  Spirit  is  good.  Lead  me  into  the  land 
of  uprightness." 

The  true  follower  of  the  good  Shepherd  loves  to  walk 
in  all  the  paths  of  righteousness.  He  does  not  confine 
himself  to  any  single  virtue,  but  longs  and  prays  for 
universal  holiness.  His  desire  is,  that  every  thought 
and  imagination  of  his  heart  maybe  brought  into  sub- 
jection to  Jesus  Christ.  Whatsoever  things  are  true 
and  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just  and  pure,  what- 
soever things  are  lovely  and  of  good  report ;  if  there  be 
any  virtue,  and  if  there  be  any  praise,  he  thinks  on 
these  things,  Phil.  iv.  8.  And  besides  this,  giving  all 
diligence,  he  adds  to  his  faith,  virtue;  and  to  virtue, 
knowledge;  and   tc   knowledge,  temperance;  and  to 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  1  13 

temperance,  patience  ;  and  to  patience,  godliness  ;  and 
to  godliness,  brotherly-kindness;  and  m  brotherly- 
kindness,  charity.  For  he  knows  that  if  these  things 
Dc  in  him,  and  abound,  they  make  him  that  he  shall 
neither  be  barren  nor  unfruitful  In  the  knowledge  of 
his  Lord.  2  Pet  i.  5 — 8.  livery  true  believer  is  most 
sincerely  anxious  to  be  enabled  to  adorn  the  doctrine 
of  God  bis  Saviour  in  all  things.  He  longs  to  love  the 
Lord   his  God  with   his  whole  soul,  and  to  love  his 

neighbour  as  he  loves  himself.      lie  rejoices,  therefore. 

at  every  opportunity  of  serving  God,  and  of  doing  good 
to  men.  His  whole  heart  goes  forth  in  deeds  of 
charity,  and  in  the  exercises  of  benevolence.  And  while 
he  is  thus  happily  engaged,  he  Buffers  no  self-compla- 
cent feelings  to  lodge  within  his  bosom.  He  renounces 
every  idea  of  his  own  righteousness,  and  humbly  ren- 
ders ;dl  the  glory  to  the  Lord.  "Thou  nasi  wrought 
n\\  my  works  in  me,"  Isa.  xxvi.  12.  He  is  persuaded 
mal  ii  is  God  which  workethin  him  "both  to  will  and 
\o  do  of  his  good  pleasure,"  Phil.  ii.  13.  He  knows 
lhat  it.  is  not  of  his  own  natural  power  or  inclination 
'.hat  he  follows,  nor  lor  his  own  goodness'  sake,  thai  he 
i-  led;  hut  gladly  acknowledges,  with  David,  thai  he 
ks  entirely  indebted  to  the  generous  kindness  of  his 
Shepherd — "Heleadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteous- 
ness for  his  name's  sake." 

The  third  great  Scripture  truth  included  in  the 
Psalmist's  words,  here  opens  to  our  view*:  and  well 
may  we  be  permitted  to  impure.  If.  then,  the  flock  for 
whose  welfare  this  great  and  gracious  Shepherd  neither 
spares  his  resources  nor  himself,  lie  bo  weak  and  worth- 
less, why  does  he  not  entirely  abandon  it,  and  gather 
to  himself  another  more  worthy  of  his  love  .'  \\  hy 
does  he  nourish  and  protect  an  unprofitable  flock  with 
10* 


114  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

such  liberality  and  diligence,  nay,  lay  down  for  them 
his  very  life  ?  The  answer  is  supplied  by  a  member 
of  that  Hock.  "  It  is  not  for  my  sake  ;  I  deserve  it 
not.  Justly  might  I  have  been  left  to  perish  ;  but  he 
graciously  loves  me  ;  he  seeks  and  saves  me  of  his 
own  free  mercy  !" — "  He  leadeth  me,"  saith  the  Psalm- 
ist, "  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his  name's  sake  !" 

It  is,  then,  altogether  of  the  undeserved  mercy  and 
grace  of  God  that  his  people  are  at  first  chosen  and 
called ;  and  it  is  for  his  own  glory, — to  manifest  his 
love,  his  mercy,  and  his  power,  that  he  afterwards 
leads  them  in  the  paths  of  righteousness.  This  prin- 
ciple is  steadily  kept  in  view  in  the  sacred  Scriptures 
and  perpetually  inculcated  upon  the  reluctant  minds 
of  men.  "  Say  unto  the  house  of  Israel,  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  I  do  not  this  for  your  sakes,  O  house  of 
Israel,  but  for  my  holy  name's  sake.  Not  for  youi 
sakes  do  I  this,  saith  the  Lord  God,  be  it  known  unto 
you,"  Ezek.  xxxvi.  22,  32. 

"  The  name  of  the  Lord,"  is  a  scriptural  form  of  ex- 
pression to  denote  the  person,  the  nature,  the  character, 
and  the  covenant-relationship,  of  the  Most  High.  The 
great  Jehovah  is  not  personally  known  to  sinful  men. 
Our  knowledge  of  him  is  derived  from  the  names  he 
graciously  assumes,  and  the  various  works  of  his  cre- 
ating hand,  and  of  his  redeeming  love.  To  know  his 
name  is  the  first  step  towards  further  acquaintance 
with  him.  "  They  that  know  thy  name  will  put  /heir 
trust  in  thee."  When  David  here  says,  "He  leadeth 
me  for  his  name's  sake,"  he  means,  first.  <:  for  his  own 
sake,"  because  it  pleases  him ;  and  secondly,  ';  for  his 
glory,  or  character's  sake."  that  it  may  not  be  dis- 
honoured. These  two  truths  were  remarkably  and 
appropriately  applied  by  the  prophet  Samuel  to  com 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  115 

fort  the  terrified  and  disconsolate  [sraelites:  "The 
Lord  wil  not  forsake  his  people  for  his  great  name's 
sake:  because  it  hath  pleased  the  Lord  to  make  you 
his  people,"  1  Sam.  \ii.  22.  There  is  bo  reason  in 
the  world  why  God  should  love  the  sinner,  and  make 
him  his  own.  To  pity  the  fallen,  and  treat  a  depend- 
ent with  kindness,  is  quite  conceivable,  even  amongst 
men.  But  that  the  great  <  rod  Bhould  actually  love  the 
rebellious  and  polluted  sinner. — that  he  should  think 
of  him, — that  he  should  regard  him  with  affection, 
and  cause  the  yearnings  of  his  heart  to  flow  towards 
him,  is  altogether  beyond  our  conception!  We  can 
assign  no  reason  for  it.  We  can  only  utter  our  as- 
tonishment with  Job,  and  exclaim,  "  What  is  man, 
that,  thou  shouldest  magnify  him  .'  and  that  thou 
shouldest  set  thine  heart  upon  him  /"  Job  \ii.  17.  Tn 
no  w;i\  could  the  holy  apostle  account  for  the  love  of 
God  to  man,  than  by  attributing  it  to  its  own  great- 
ness! "God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  the  great  love 
wherewith  he  loved  us,"  Eph.  ii.  1.  When  therefore 
the  Psalmist  Bays,  "He  Leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of 
righteousness  for  his  name's  sake."  we  are  to  under- 
stand him  to  signify,  in  the  first  place,  that  the  Lord 
was  pleased  to  do  so  of  his  <>w  q  mercy  and  grace,  and 
for  the  manifestation  of  his  own  love  and  power  and 
glory]  We  understand  him.  in  the  second  place,  to 
affirm  that,  after  he  had  gone  astray,  it  was  not  on 
account  of  any  value  or  excellency  w  hich  he  possessed, 

that  fresh  kindness   had   been  exhibited  towards  him, 

hiit  that  the  Lord  had  restored  him  to  the  fold,  and 
was  now  Leading  him  in  the  paths  of  righteousness 
for  the  glory  of  his  own  name  !  This  doctrine  is  hilly 
stated  by  the  Lord  himself.  Though  he  complains 
that  his  pe3pk  had  dealt  very  treacherously  with  bin, 


116  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

yet  he  immediately,  and  most  graciously,  adds,  "  Foi 
my  name's  sake  will  I  defer  mine  anger ;  and  for  my 
praise  will  I  refrain  for  thee,  that  I  cut  thee  not 
off ...  .  For  mine  own  sake,  even  for  mine  own  sake, 
will  I  do  it :  for  how  should  my  name  be  polluted?" 
Isa.  xlviii.  9. 

There  is,  then,  a  twofold  argument  contained  in 
this  statement  of  the  Psalmist.  The  Lord,  for  his 
own  sake,  and  for  his  own  glory's  sake,  loves  and 
leads  the  soul.  God  thus  supplies  the  sinner  with 
two  powerful  pleas.  They  are  applicable  alike  to 
comfort  him  amid  the  troubles  of  life,  to  encourage 
him  under  the  burdened  sense  of  his  unworthiness, 
and  to  sustain  him  when  interceding  in  prater  for 
himself  or  others.  "  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a 
strong  tower ;  the  righteous  runneth  into  it,  and  is 
safe."  Oh,  what  a  refuge  is  the  name  of  the  Lord  ! 
AVhat  will  he  not  accomplish  for  his  own  name's  sake  ! 
When  we  look  around  us  upon  this  checjuered  scene 
of  good  and  evil,  where  vice  destroys  virtue,  iniquity 
abounds,  the  righteous  suffer,  and  the  wicked  flourish, 
— where  the  light  of  the  gospel  is  undervalued,  and 
heathen  darkness  envelopes  the  vast  majority  of  men  ! 
When  we  look  within,  and  consider  not  only  our  own 
insignificance  in  the  scale  of  creation,  but  also  the  cor- 
ruption of  our  nature,  and  the  degradation  of  our 
character  by  sin !  Oh,  what  a  relief,  what  a  consola- 
tion, is  it  to  know  that  Cod  will  for  his  own  sake  put 
all  things  to  rights, — that  God  will  for  his  own  glory's 
sake  overrule  every  event  for  good, — that  he  will  for 
his  own  name's  sake,  not  only  condescend  to  regard 
us,  but  will  deliver  us  from  the  debasement  of  our  fall, 
and  lead  us  on  to  glory  and  to  virtue'  "Without  this 
appeal  to  God  himself  we  should  be  utterly  lost,  and 


PATHS    HF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  117 

altogether  bereft  of  hope.  Search  the  universe  to  save 
yourself  from  despair,  and  only  in  the  heart  of  Him 
whom  you  have  offended  can  an  argument  he  found 
for  your  Balvation  !  That  argument  is  his  own  aame  ! 
Oh.  how  fully  should  this  satisfy  the  tempted  believer, 
and  soothe  him  in  his  most  disturbed  moments!  He 
beholds  disorder  and  transgression  on  every  side. — he 
sees  in  himself  aothing  but  sin,— feels  oothing  but 
unworthiness,  and  can  only  cry,  '"Lord,  save  me,  or  I 
perish."  "If  thou  dost  not  save  me  for  thine  own 
mercy's  sake.  1  know  not  any  other  plea  to  urge  !"' 
How  consolatory,  how  sustaining,  how  cheering,  to 
him  in  such  a  state,  to  be  assured  that  this  is  the  hest, 
the  strongest,  the  most  prevailing,  of  all  arguments 
which  he  can  use  !  1  [ear  how  the  saints  of  old  availed 
themselves  of  it  in  their  extremities  :  "  For  thy  name's 
sake,  u  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it   is  great," 

l'sa.   XXV.  11.      "•Help  lis.  ()  Grod  of   OUT  salvation,  for 

the  glory  o4*  thy  name;  and  deliver  u<.  and  purge 
away  our  Bins  for  thy  name's  sake.''  V>:\.  lwiw  9. 
Jeremiah  well  understood  how  to  urge  the  same  plea  : 
';  O  Lord,  though  our  iniquities  testily  against  us,  do 

thou    it    fol    th\    name's  sake We  are  called   by 

thy  name,  leave  u<  not Do  not  abhor  u<.  for 

to\  name's  sake:  do  not  disgrace  the  throne  of  thy 
glory,'3  .hr.  m\.  21,  Daniel,  also,  based  his  interces- 
sion for  his  church  and  nation  upon  the  same  Btrong 
argument:  "0  Lord, hear;  0 Lord, forgive ;  0  Lord, 
hearken  and  do:  deter  not  for  thine  own  sake.  ()  my 
God:  for  thy  city  and  thy  people  are  called  by  thy 
name."  Dan.  i\.  L9.  While  the  servants  of  God  thus 
plead  before  him,  and  ground  their  whole  cause  on 
this  single  argument,  how  delightful  it  is  to  read 
in  the  records  of  truth   that  this  argument  prevails ! 


118  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

"  I,  even  I,  saith  the  Lord,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy 
transgressions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not  re- 
member thy  sins,"  Isa.  xliii.  25. 

Great  is  the  privilege  of  the  flock  of  Christ.  The 
good  Shepherd  has  appropriated  his  name  to  their  use  ■ 
"  If  ye  shall  ask  anything  in  my  name  I  will  do  it," 
John  xiv.  14.  The  Christian  knows  that  all  his 
prayers  are  accepted  only  for  his  Master's  sake.  The 
Saviour  faithfully  assured  his  disciples,  "  Verily,  verily, 
I  say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in 
my  name,  he  wTill  give  it  you,"  John  xvi.  23.  The 
name  of  Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  prevails.  The  weakest 
creature,  by  that  name,  is  strong ;  the  most  unworthy, 
by  that  name,  is  saved !  David  knew  that  all  the 
gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord,  his  Shepherd,  towards 
him,  were  on  account  of  his  own  holy  name.  No  idea 
of  his  own  importance  dictated  his  confidence  in  God  ! 
And  weak  and  unworthy  as  he  knew  himself  to  be,  he 
could  yet  say,  "  In  thy  name  will  we  rejoice  all  the 
day,"  Psa.  lxxxix.  16.  "  My  soul  shall  make  her 
boast  in  the  Lord,"  Psa.  xxxiv.  2.  The  free  and 
spontaneous  love  of  God, — his  mercy  emanating  from 
his  mercy, — cut  off  all  boasting  in  his  own  righteous- 
ness. He  desired  continually  to  retain  this  humbling 
doctrine  in  his  own  remembrance,  and  here  he  records 
it  for  the  benefit  of  others:  "He  leadeth  me  in  the 
paths  of  righteousness  for  his  name's  sake."  As  if  he 
had  said,  "I  possess  no  claim  upon  his  care;  I  am 
altogether  dependent  and  helpless  as  a  creature,  and 
utterly  unworthy  and  hopeless  as  a  sinner:  yet  the 
Lord,  of  his  own  accord,  takes  pity  upon  me:  he 
brings  me  out  of  the  weakness  of  nature,  and  the  de- 
filements of  sin,  and  he  leads  me  onward  in  the  paths 
of  riffhteousiuss  for  his  own  name's  sake." 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  119 

Is  this  thy  experience,  dear  Christian  reader  ?  Art 
thou  walking  in  the  paths  of  righteousness 9  Who 
lirst  led  thee  into  them  .'  'Thy  good  Shepherd  !  "Who 
restores  thee,  when  straying  from  them  !  Thy  good 
Shepherd  !  \\  hois  now  leading  thee  onward  in  these 
right  paths  .'  Thy  good  Shepherd  !  Give  him,  then, 
all  the  glory,  and  say,  "llf  leadeth  me !:'  Look  ever 
to  him  with  a  most  grateful  heart.  He  is  a  gentle 
guide.  He  will  assist  thy  steps,  as  he  directs  them 
onward.  He  is  a  patient  leader.  Yet  when  he  waits 
for  thee,  keep  him  not  long  waiting.  Despise  not  nor 
abuse  his  very  tenderness.  Let  love  quicken  thy  pace. 
And  when  his  love  is  shed  abroad  in  thy  heart,  be  not 
^ell-elated.  Be  willing  to  be  freely  loved — undeservedly 
loved  !  Oh,  strange  feeling  !  Loved,  when  an  enemy  ! 
Sought  alter,  when  not  worthy!  Loved  by  thy  Lord. 
and  yet  not  Loved  lor  thyself!    Oh  humbling  thought  ! 

Thy  name  i-  outcast — thy  nature  is  depraved — thy 
spirit  is  unholy  :  yet  the  Lord  looked  upon  thee  in  his 
great  compassion.  Pol  his  own  phy's  sake  he  extend- 
ed n>  thee  the  hand  of  his  mercy.  For  his  own  glory's 
sake  he  raised  thee,  he  restored  thee,  for  his  own 
name's  sake  he  is  now  leading  thee  in  the  paths  of 
righteousness.     To  him,  then,  he  all  the  glory  ! 

Thy  shepherd  is  ever  before  thee,  Christian!  Be 
diligent  to  follow  as  near  to  him  as  possible,  far  ad- 
vanced as  thou  mayesl  be  on  thy  heavenward  course, 
thou  still  Deadest  his  leading  hand.  The  ripened  be- 
liever is  ever  the  most  read)  to  acknowledge,  that 
without  Chrisl  he  can  do  nothing.  The  longer  we 
have  been  led.  the  more  teachable  and  obedient  we 
become.  Every  day's  experience  >hould  coin  nice. 
thee,  0  Header,  how  unworthy  of  confidence  thou  ait, 
how  worthy    thy  Shepherd   ia !     Oh,  love  his  paths. 


120  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS 

Love  righteousness.  Abhor  iniquity.  Cleave  to  the 
"  way  of  holiness."  There  thou  shalt  run,  and  not  be 
weary  ;  there  thou  shalt  walk,  and  not  faint.  Thy 
Shepherd  will  revive  thy  spirit,  and  renew  thy  strength, 
as  thou  followest  in  his  paths.  Fear  not  their  rug- 
gedness.  Fear  not  their  length.  Fear  them  not 
when  they  are  narrow.  Fear  them  not  when  they 
are  steep.  Fear  nothing,  but  to  turn  from  them. 
Yes,  fear  to  stand  still !  Onward !  keep  ever  on- 
ward !  Thou  art  not  yet  at  thy  journey's  end  !  Go 
forward  !  Get  more  faith,  more  love,  more  meekness, 
more  zeal,  more  godliness,  more  patience,  more  humil- 
ity, more  holiness,  more  peace,  more  joy,  more  like- 
ness to  thy  Lord,  more  meetness  for  thine  inheritance 
above  !  Say,  hast  thou  already  attained  ?  Art  thou 
already  perfect  in  all  these  graces?  Say,  hast  thou 
even  one  of  them  in  sufficient  measure  ?  Fear,  then, 
to  stand  still !  Press  ever  forward  to  the  mark  for  the 
prize  of  thy  high  calling.  Thy  Shepherd  guides  the 
way.  And  through  all  the  experiences  of  thy  earthly 
lot — the  hill  and  dale,  the  lights  and  shadows,  of  this 
chequered  scene,  thy  Shepherd  will  be  near,  to  cheer 
thy  onward  step,  to  nerve  thy  trembling  heart.  Foi 
his  own  name's  sake,  thy  Shepherd  will  not  cease  to 
lead,  he  will  not  fail  to  guide  thee.  Go  on  then,  O 
Christian,  diligently  following  the  leadings  of  (by  Shep- 
herd. He  will  make  thy  way  plain  before  thy  face. 
The  longer  thou  walkest  in  his  path,  the  more  will 
thou  have  reason  to  delight  in  it.  He  will  enable 
thee  to  perceive  that  his  paths  of  righteousness  are 
paths  of  truth  :  that  the  path  of  truth  is  thy  path  of 
duty  :  that  the  path  of  duty  is  the  only  path  of  safety : 
and  that  the  path  of  safety  is,  indeed,  a  path  of  plea- 
santness and  peace  ! 


PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS.  121 

Righteous  and  true  are  the  ways  of  the  Lord ! 
Peaceful  and  pleasant  are  all  his  paths!  They  are 
plain  and  straight  to  the  weary  foot.  The  Lord  hath 
prepared  an  "highway."  It  is  called  '-the  way  of 
holiness."  "  Wayfaring  men,  though  fools,  shall  not 
en  therein,''  Isa.  xxxv.  S.  •■Stand  ye  in  the  way.-'. 
and  see  ;  and  ask  for  the  old  path-,  where  is  the  good 
way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your 
souls,"  Jer.  vi.  16.  Love  to  God,  and  love  to  man  is 
the  "royal''  road,  James  ii.  S.  All  the  paths  of  the 
commandments  centre  therein.  What  more  "right- 
eous" than  "love?"'  '-It  worketh  no  ill  to  God  or 
man  :  therefore  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law,"  Rom. 
xiii.  10.  What  more  joyful  than  "love?"  It  is  the 
gladness  of  angels — the  perfection  of  heaven — and  the 
bliss  of  eternity  !  Love  is  universal  righteousness  ! 
Love  is  everlasting  joy  ! 

Righteous  and  true  are  the  ways  of  the  Lord! 
Peaceful  and  pleasant  are  all  his  paths!  •  '.:!  the 
paths  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  unto  such  as 
keep  his  covenant  and  his  testimonies,"  Psa.  xxv.  10. 
The  wandered  sheep  need  "  mercy"  to  restore  them ; 
the  restored  wanderers  need  "truth"  to  preserve  them. 
Mercy  without  truth  would  he  an  ignis  fatuus  to 
deceive.  Truth  without  mercy  would  be  a  burning 
fire  to  destroy,  [n  the  paths  of  the  Lord  "mercy  and 
truth  are  met  together:  righteousness  and  peace  have 
based  each  other,"  Psa.  [xxxv.  H».  Mercy  pities, 
pardons,  and  relieves:  truth  arrests,  elevates,  and  Bus- 
tains,  the  soul  !  By  mercy  we  are  drawn  to  the  Lord 
at  first,  and  by  his  truth  we  cling  to  him  for  over ! 

Righteous  and  true  are  the  ways  of  the  Lord! 
Peaceful  and  pleasant  arc  all  his  path-  !  They  arc 
ways  of  light  and  paths  of  life  to  all  the  members  of 
11 


122  PATHS    OF    RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

his  flock.  "  He  brings  the  blind  by  a  way  th.a  they 
know  not :  and  leads  them  in  paths  that  they  have 
not  known.  He  makes  darkness  light  before  them, 
and  crooked  things  straight.  These  things  will  the 
Lord  do  unto  them,  and  not  forsake  them,"  Isa.  xlii. 
16.  "  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light, 
that  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day," 
Prov.  iv.  18.  Along  his  brightening  path  the  believer 
walks  with  God.  The  blessed  Saviour  is  his  way,  his 
truth,  his  life, — a  way  without  weariness — a  true  way, 
without  deception, — a  living  way,  where  there  is  nc 
death.  "  In  the  way  of  righteousness  is  life,  and  in 
the  pathway  thereof  there  is  no  death,"  Prov.  xii.  28. 
Behold  the  ever-living  Shepherd  with  his  never-dying 
flock !  He  leadeth  them  in  ';  the  way  everlasting." 
"  Righteousness  goes  before  him,  and  sets  them  in  the 
way  of  his  steps."  Because  he  lives,  they  shall  live 
also.  Where  he  precedes,  they  shall  follow.  He  is 
the  Lord  their  Shepherd,  and  the  Lord  their  righteous- 
ness. He  is  their  light,  their  life,  their  all.  To  him 
they  ascribe  the  whole  glory  of  their  salvation.  And 
as  they  journey  on  from  earth  to  heaven,  they  each 
gladly  testify  that  for  every  step  they  are  indebted  to 
the  gracious  leading  and  unmerited  goodness  of  theii 
Shepherd. — "  He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteous 
ness  for  his  name's  sake.'1 


THE   SHADOW   OF   DEATH. 


PART   I. 

THE  SHEEP  FOLLOWING  THE  SHEPHERD  THROUGH  THE 
VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH. 

Verse  4. —  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil. 

To  enjoy  the  guardian  care  of  their  heavenly  Shep- 
herd at  all  seasons,  i-  the  peculiar  privilege  of  the  flock 
nl'<  Ihrist  In  every  emergency,  therefore,  il  becomes 
them  to  place  the  fullest  confidence  in  hi-  prudence 
ami  his  affection,  in  his  resources  and  his  power. 
During  their  previous  history  they  have  invariahly 
found  "  that  he  led  them  forth  by  the  right  \v;i y."  Why, 
then,should  they  not  believe  that  to  tin-  very  latest 
period  of  their  earthly  existence  he  will  still  be  near  to 
protect,  and  still  l»'  willing  to  provide?  To  distrust 
him  for  tlf  present  or  the  future,  would  beingratitude 
for  the  past;  it  would  belie  their  own  experience, and 
greatly  dishonour  their  kind  and  watchful  Pastor. 

Such  appear  to  have  been  the  sentiments  of  the 
Psalmist  lli<  soul  felt  elevated  hy  the  review  which  he 
had  just  taken  of  the  gracious  dealings  of  Jehovah  his 
Shepherd  towards  him.  A  deep  Bense  of  past  and 
present  mercies  produced  a  blessed  persuasion  of  his 
Shepherd's  unvarj  ing  love  and  never-failing  protection. 
His  mind  was  inspired  with  a  high  and  holy  courage. 


124  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

He  felt  convinced  that  in  the  path  of  righteousness, 
with  his  Shepherd  before  him,  all  must  be  well.  He 
could  therefore  look  forward  to  the  future  without 
anxiety  or  alarm.  He  could  calmly  contemplate  every 
possible  trouble  and  suffering,  every  enemy  and  danger, 
that  awaited  him  ;  and,  relying  on  his  Shepherd,  he 
could  say,  "  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil ;  for  Thou  art 
with  me  ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me  !" 

The  "  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death"  is  a  remark- 
able form  of  expression.  It  is  peculiar  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  to  Oriental  literature.  It  is  used  to  rep- 
resent those  horrible  trials,  those  extreme  difficulties 
and  dangers,  which  darken  the  lot  of  humanity.  Its 
import  in  this  Psalm  is  not  however  to  be  limited  to  the 
troubles  and  sufferings  of  active  life.  The  Psalmist 
neither  excludes  nor  overlooks  these ;  but  he  rises 
above  and  beyond  them  all.  He  reaches  a  climax  of 
asseveration — "  Yea,  though  I  walk" — which  compre- 
hends every  conceivable  trial,  and  especially  the  last 
and  severest  to  which  our  nature  is  exposed.  Death 
is  the  principal  object  in  the  Psalmist's  view.  He  has 
now  reached  the  last  point  in  his  beautiful  similitude  ; 
and  the  introduction  of  this  comprehensive  sentiment, 
imparts  a  finish  and  completeness  to  the  whole  picture 
which  he  has  so  graphically  delineated.  That  Shep- 
herd, whom  he  had  delighted  to  represent  as  having 
graciously  tended,  and  abundantly  supplied,  his  people, 
he  now  rejoices  to  declare  will  assuredly  "  comfort" 
them  in  every  coming  trouble,  and  make  them  more 
than  conquerors  over  their  last  enemy.  He  who  was 
near  them  while  they  lived,  will  be  with  them  when 
they  die.     He  will  not  only  direct,  but  accompany, 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  125 

them  througb  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and 
therefore  they  need  "  fear  no  evil." 

David  beautifully  and  poetically  compares  his  mortal 
dissolution  to  a  deep  valley — a  valley  of  dark  and 
gloomy  shadow,  through  which  lies  his  road  to  light 
and  rest,  to  life  and  joy.  Death  is  indeed  a  valley  ! 
On  a  mount  of  healthful  and  happy  existence  we  seem 
to  spend  our  years  ;  but  soon  our  steps  descend,  oui 
horizon  becomes  contracted,  our  range  of  vision  is 
diminished  :  the  shadows,  too,  are  lengthened,  the  mists 
increase,  and  we  arc  laid  low  indeed.  How  great  the 
change!  The  animated  being  who  seemed  to  tower 
above  the  mountains,  and  to  array  himself  with  the 
Bunbeams  of  prosperity,  lies  low  in  the  valley,  and 
shrouded  by  the  shadow  of  death.  Where  now  is  the 
pomp  of  majesty,  the  pride  of  philosophy,  and  the 
splendour  <>f  arms?  Where  is  the  form  of  loveliness, 
and  the  diadem  of  beauty?  They  arc  all  gone  down 
into  the  valley,  and  lie  in  undistinguished  obscurity 
beneath  its  shadow.  Oh,  Avhat  a  valley  of  humilia- 
tion! How  low  indeed  does  man  descend  from  his 
fancied  exaltation  !  His  Btrength  no  more  avails  him  ! 
His  noble  or  his  ignoble  birth  afibrds  him  no  exception 
from  the  general  fate  !  One  universal  law  commands 
the  descent  of  all  the  sons  of  Adam  into  that  valley. 
It  is  not  the  vale  of  years  of  which  we  now  speak;  it 
is  tlic  vale  of  death.  Men  deceive  themselves  too  often, 
by  confounding  these  two  together.  They  picture  to 
their  minds  their  own  gradual  decay  after  threescore 
years  and  ten;  and  in  imagination  behold  themselves 
with  hoary  hair,  and  feeble  steps,  and  bending  form, 
descending  cheerfully  and  gracefully  to  their  rest  in  the 
vale  below!  But  the  vale  of  years  is  only  one  of  many 
approaches  to  the  great  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
11*' 


126  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH 

Consult  the  records  of  that  valley,  and  they  will  testify 
that  the  infant  of  days,  as  well  as  the  veteran  of  years  ; 
the  strong  and  the  healthy,  as  well  as  the  sickly  and 
the  feeble  ;  the  blooming  maiden,  and  the  young  man 
in  his  strength,  all  come  to  rest  in  that  dark  and  lowly 
valley  without  any  interval  or  any  regularity  of  arrival. 
Death  is  the  great  valley  which  separates  time  from 
eternity.  Multitudes  enter  this  "  valley  of  decision," 
but  none  return  again  to  inform  us  of  its  depth  or  its 
darkness,  its  difficulties  or  its  dangers.  To  the  eye  of 
sense  it  appears  a  real  valley,  and  full  of  dangers,  as 
inevitable  as  they  are  appalling.  To  the  eye  of  faith 
it  wears  but  the  semblance  of  a  valley,  with  all  the 
appearances,  but  none  of  the  realities,  of  danger. 
David  denominated  it  a  "  valley  of  shadow."  In  a 
country  so  diversified  as  Judea  by  hill  and  mountain, 
plain  and  valley,  woods  and  waters,  rocks  and  sands, 
the  lano-uage  of  the  inhabitants  was  enriched  with  a 
great  variety  of  natural  and  instructive  figures.  The 
course  of  the  sun  everywhere  produced  continual 
changes  of  scenery  by  the  incessant  fluctuations  of 
light  and  shade.  And  it  is  easy  to  conceive  that  amid 
the  narrow  defdes,  where  projecting  rocks  overhung 
the  winding  path,  the  darkness  of  evening  would  be 
hastened,  and  the  gloom  of  night  anticipated,  at  par- 
ticular spots,  by  deep  dark  shadows.  Imagine  you 
behold  a  shepherd  conducting  his  flock  from  one  dis- 
tant pasturage  to  another.  He  presses  forward  with 
haste  over  the  plain,  and  traverses  the  mountain  with 
anxiety,  lest  night  should  overtake  them  before  they 
have  reached  their  desired  resting-place.  Their  path 
begins  to  wind  towards  a  vale  below,  but  darkness  in- 
creases, and  dangers  multiply  as  they  descend.  On 
one  side  is  the  fearful  precipice,  and  on  the  other  is  the 


TIIK    SHADOW    C.P    DEATH.  127 

gloomy  foaage  of  the  forest.  At  the  bottom  of  an  ab- 
rupt descent  in  their  road,  an  overhanging  rock  threat- 
ens destruction;  ami  the  dark  Bhadow  beneath  it, looks 
rather  like  the  den  of  the  wolf  or  the  lion,  than  the 
road  that  shall  lead  them  to  their  rest.  The  sheep 
are  affrighted.  Some  of  them  instinctively  turn  to 
retreat  ;  others  press  closer  to  their  shepherd;  and  in 
proportion  to  the  confidence  which  each  places  in  his 
protection,  so  is  the  measure  of  their  deliverance  from 
fear.  With  his  rod  and  his  stall' the  shepherd  gathers 
his  trembling  flock  around  him,  and  by  the  accents  of 
liis  well-known  voice  he  inspires  them  all  with  cou- 
rage, lie  advances  onward.  His  Hock  follow  aftei 
him.  And  as  they  severally  pass  under  that  frown- 
in.;  rock,  they  discover  that  their  alarm  had  been  ex- 
cited only  by  the  shadow,  and  not  by  the  reality,  of 
danger.  Such  did  death  appear  in  the  estimation  of 
the  Psalmist,  lie  knew  that  it  could  only  be  the 
shadow,  and  not  the  reality,  of  evil,  which  he  should 
encounter,  while  following  bis  Shepherd  through  "  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.*' 

David  does  not  simply  say  the  valley  of  death,  hut 
"of  the  shadow"  thereof.  This  peculiar  and  appro- 
priate image  is  strictly  and  scripturalry  correct.  The 
curse  of  death  originally  pronounced  on  man.  included 
not  onlv  separation  of  the  soul  from  the  body,  hut  also 
the  separation  of  both  from  God.  Death  was  thus  an 
instantaneous  ana  an  everlasting  curse.  But  the  ever 
blessed  Redeemer  interposed  between  the  guilty  crea- 
tures and  their  offended  God.  He  is  declared  to  he 
"the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world," 
Rev.  xiii.  B.  I  lis  mediation  saved  their  natural  exig- 
ence, and  opened  to  them  the  way  of  spiritual  and 
everlasting-  life.     Yet,  alas!  in  a  real  and  ..     fu]  <ense, 


128  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

the  sentence  had  taken  immediate  effect.  In  the  very 
day  that  he  ate  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  the  soul  of 
Adam  died  within  him.  Yea,  in  that  very  moment, 
and  by  that  very  deed,  his  spirit  became  separated 
from  its  God,  and  lost  its  union  and  communion  with 
him.  This  was  real  death — the  death  of  the  soul ! 
Never  let  us  forget  this  truth.  By  habitually  contrast- 
ing our  present  temporal  death,  with  that  which  God 
originally  pronounced,  we  shall  learn  to  regard  the 
former  as  light  and  little  in  comparison.  Bodily  death 
sets  the  believer  free  for  immediate  admission  into  the 
presence  of  his  God.  The  Saviour  has  positively  af 
firmed,  "  Whosoever  livcth  and  believeth  in  me  shall 
never  die,"  John  xi.  26.  Again,  he  has  declared,  "  He 
that  believeth  ....  is  passed  from  death  unto  life," 
John  v.  24.  The  penal  curse  of  death,  separating  the 
sinner  in  soul  and  body,  at  once,  and  for  ever,  from  his 
God,  was  cancelled  through  the  Mediator.  And  thus, 
in  a  very  striking  and  important  sense,  we  can  affirm 
with  the  Apostle,  "  Christ  hath  abolished  death,"  2 
Tim.  i.  10.  He  has  abolished,  or  "  made  of  no  effect," 
tha  t  death  of  instant  separation  of  soul  from  body,  and 
of  both  from  God,  which  was  pronounced  on  man  ; 
and  the  natural  death  through  which  the  believer 
passes,  is  but  as  its  dark  and  gloomy  shadow.  It  rep- 
resents that  death  to  his  mind,  as  a  shadow  represents 
the  outline  of  a  substance.  The  distant  cloud  which 
covers  plain  and  mountain  may  look  black  and  terri- 
ble ;  but  when  we  enter  into  it,  or  rather  when  it 
envelopes  us,  we  feel  it  to  be  but  a  passing  vapour. 
Mere  mortal  dissolution  may  be  regarded  by  the  be- 
liever as  the  night;  as  a  dark  shade  :  as  a  deep  sleep; 
as  a  temporary  swoon  which  has,  indeed,  the  appear- 
ance, but  not  the  reality  of  death  ;  or  as  the  shadow 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  129 

of  a  cloud,  iii  which  there  can  be  no  thunders  to 
alarm,  and  no  lightnings  (o  destroy.  The  Prophet 
compares  it  to  a  veil,  which  conceals  the  human  coun- 
tenance only  for  a  temporary  period,  Isa.  xxv.  7.  This 
veil  i<  cast  over  .dl  nations,  hut  it  shall  one  day  be  re- 
moved. Temporal  death,  therefore,  even  to  the  un- 
believer, is  but  the  shadow  of  that  eternal  death — that 
everlasting  separation  of  soul  and  body  from  God — 
which  awaits  him  in  the  other  state  of  being.  When, 
therefore,  he  is  called  to  walk  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  that,  death,  having  no  Shepherd  near  to 
guide  and  to  console  him,  no  marvel  that  his  heart 
beconi'-s  oppressed  with  fear  and  overwhelmed  with 
apprehension.  Death  is  to  him  a  terrible  shadow  of 
a  still  more  terrible  reality  : 

But,  Oh  !  how  different  is  the  condition  of  the  true 
believer  when  summoned  to  descend  into  that  valley  ! 
tie  advances  calmly  towards  it.  He  enters  the  dark 
shadow  with  a  quiet  mind,  and  looks  through  it  to  a 
land  of  light  and  peace!  He  turn-  not  hither  and 
thither  in  haste  or  perturbation  of  spirit  His  attitude 
is  one  of  composure  and  of  steady  resolution,  lie 
;-  walks."  Il<'  follow-  in  the  footsteps  of  his  Shepherd, 
and  therefore  he  will  neither  hasten  impatiently,  nor 
advance  reluctantly.  His  position  is  solemn  and  pecu- 
liar. If  demands  unusual  circumspection,  in  the 
consciousness,  therefore,  of  his  own  weakness,  he 
redoubles  prayer  and  supplication.  A  false  step  now, 
he  knows,  may  prove  his  everlasting  ruin.  He  there- 
fore ••  walk-. '  that  every  step  may  be  well  considered; 
and  he  uses  the  utmost  vigilance,  lest  by  any  possi- 
bility he  should  fall,  lie  "walks,"  too,  thai  he  may 
survey  that  valle\  as  he  enters  into  it, — contemplate  the 
land   beyond   to   which  he  is  going. — and  casl  a  fare- 


130  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATn. 

well  look  over  the  region  which  he  leaves.  And 
lastly,  he  "  walks,"  that  as  he  considers  the  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future,  he  may  be  able  more  abun- 
dantly to  praise  that  gracious  Lord,  by  whom  his  steps 
have  been  directed  in  all  his  former  course — by  whom 
he  is  now  upheld  and  comforted  in  his  descent — and 
on  whom  he  relies  for  the  supply  of  all  needful  grace 
and  consolation  to  his  latest  moment ! 

But  the  believer  not  only  walks  into  that  valley,  he 
walks  "  through"  it.     It  is  his  privilege  to  know  that 
whatever  may  be  the  trials  and   difficulties    of  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  he  shall  pass  through 
them  all  in  safety.     His  Almighty  Shepherd  is  with 
him.     And  so  beautiful  and  attractive  does  the  land 
beyond  appear,  that  the  damp  vapours  and  the  appal- 
ling darkness  around  and  before  him,  seem  as  nothing 
in  comparison.     Innumerable  as  may  be  the  open  or 
the  secret  enemies  which  may  assault  him  on  his  prog- 
ress, he  feels  convinced  that  none  of  them  shall  be 
able   to  detain   him  as  a  prisoner.     The    '-king   of 
terrors,"  indeed,  may  exact  the  wonted  tribute,  as  he 
passes  on  through  his  dominions  ;  and  though  he  have 
nothing  wherewith  to  pay,  but  the  garment  of  mor- 
tality which  he  wears,  yet  now  he  can  dispense  with 
its  use  for  a  time,   and  will  not  refuse   to  leave  it 
behind  him  as  a  pledge,  till  in  due  season  he   return 
again  and  see  it  gloriously  redeemed  !     He  therefore 
regards  the  valley  not  as  a   place  of  abode,  but  as 
a  place  of  passage.     As  surely  as  he  enters  into  it,  so 
surely  shall  he  pass  through  it.     The  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  is  to  him  as  the  valley  of  waters  to 
the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  passed  through  the 
eea  as  on  dry  land.     Yea.  rather,  he  is  like   one  of 
those  children  of  the  faith,  when  they  walked  through 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  131 

the  swelling  of  Jordan,  and  entered  safely  and  joyfully 
into  the  long-promised  land  of  Canaan  ! 

"While  the  believer  thus  walks  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  it  is  his  privilege  to  enjoy  a 
most  blessed  state  of  mind.  '•  I  will  fear  no  evil,'-  says 
the  Psalmist.  The  valley  may  he  deep,  and  it  may 
be  dark;  it  may  be.  reported  to  abound  with  unnum- 
bered dangers  and  enemies  :  yet.  says  the  believer,  as 
1  walk— yea.  though  I  walk  through  the  midst  of 
(hrm  all— "I  will  fear  no  evil."'  He  does  not  say.  "  1 
will  feel  no  evil,*'  but,  "  1  will  fear  no  evil/'  lie  knows 
that  trials  await  him,  and  that  flesh  and  blood  must 
feel  them.  He  fosters  not  any  false  courage,  by  a  vain 
concealment  of  the  truth.  He  never  deludes  himself 
with  the  idea  that  there  are  no  difficulties  and  no 
terrors  in  the  valley.  Oh,  no  !  He  is  fully  aware  that 
sorrows  and  pain-.  Bhrinkings  and  agonies,  assaults 
and  temptations,  may  befall  him.  bin  he  exclaims, 
""While  I  feel  them,  1  will  not  fear  them.  All  things 
shall  work  together  for  my  good,  why  then  should  I 
fear  any  'evil'  from  whatever  I  may  encounter? 
1  will  fear  no  evil  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death  !"' 

Two   things  alone   in   the   universe,   the   believer 
should  regard  ;'-  Strictly  and  invariably  EVIL.      These 

are  sin,  and  8EPAH  it-ion  from  <  -<u».    The  former  is 

the  cause  of  the  latter,  yel  'hey  are  so  closely  allied  ;is 
to  be  almost  identical.  Sin  against  God  is  an  act  tA 
separation;  and  separation  from  God  is  a  state  of  sin. 
There  can  be  no  separation  where  there  b  I  en  i  i 
sin:  and  sin  cannot  be  comm.  instantly 

depriving  us  o(  heavenly  favour,  ai  tg  us  off 

from  union  and  communion  with  the  Lord.  This, 
ihen,    is  evil      absolute,  universal,   and   essential,  evil! 


132  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

Pains  and  sufferings  of  body,  the  loss  of  friuids  and 
property,  of  health  and  comfort,  are  denominated  evils 
by  the  children  of  the  world.  These  are  trials,  but 
they  are  not  evils,  and  may  indeed  be  blessings. 
David  did  not  intend  to  assert  that  he  should  enjoy 
exemption  from  these  common  sufferings  of  humanity. 
Oh,  no  !  It  is  spiritual  evil — it  is  moral  evil,  which  is 
here  spoken  of.  The  sentiment  is  similar  to  that 
which  the  Psalmist  has  elsewhere  expressed,  "He 
shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil,  he  shall  preserve  thy 
soul,"  Psa.  exxi.  The  preservation  of  the  soul  from 
all  sin,  is  its  preservation  from  all  evil.  And  it  is  from 
the  fear  of  evil  in  this  sense,  that  confidence  in  his 
Shepherd  gave  David  deliverance.  As  if  he  had  said, 
"  No  assaults  of  spiritual  darkness  shall  be  permitted 
at  that  trying  hour  to  shake  my  faith — No  temptation 
of  the  last  enemy  shall  be  allowed  to  draw  me  into  sin 
— No  fleshly  agony,  nor  mental  anguish,  shall  provoke 
me  to  'curse  God  and  die!'  'As  my  day  is,  so  my 
strength  shall  be.'  I  will,  therefore,  fear  no  evil  in 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death."  In  substance, 
though  not  in  words,  David  had  doubtless  prayed  as 
we  woidd  daily  desire  to  pray,  "  Suffer  me  not  at  my 
last  hour,  for  any  pains  of  death,  to  fall  from  thee." 
The  Hearer  of  prayer  is  often  pleased  to  strengthen 
the  believer  with  a  conviction  that  this  prayer  shall 
be  answered.  The  Spirit  of  grace  and  of  consolation 
enables  him  to  adopt  the  triumphant  language  of  the 
Apostle,  "Who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
Christ?  Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution, 
or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword?  .... 
Nay,  in  all  these  tilings  we  are  more  than  conquerors 
through  him  that  loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded  that 
neithe-  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  133 

nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor 
height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able 
to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Cod  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord,"  Rom.  viii.  39.  This  triumph  of  the 
Apostle,  was  the  triumph  of  the  Psalmist.  It  is  the 
triumph  also  of  all  the  family  of  the  faithful,  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  time.  Their  song,  however, 
would  be  turned  into  lamentation,  if  one  little  word 
had  not  been  excluded  from  this  enumeration  by  the 
Apostle.  lie  does  not  demand,  "Shall  sin  separate  us 
from  Christ  V*  He  well  knew  that  it  would — that  it 
must.  But  he  also  knew  that  nothing  else  in  the 
universe  could  separate  him  from  his  .Saviour's  love. 
He  felt  therefore  both  willing  to  endure  the  utmost 
miseries  of  time,  and  able  to  defy  ever]  human  and 
Satanic  enemy  ! 

The  minds  of  the  children  of  <  tod,  are  often  enlight- 
ened by  bis  Spirit  on  the  confines  of  eternity.  Those 
losses  and  privations,  those  Borrows  and  troubles,  which 
they  formerly  denominated  "evils,"  they  now  more 
correct  lv  designate  u  trials.'*  And  when  they  look  down 
into  the  valley,  as  it  opens  before  them,  and  feel  that 
their  Shepherd  is  Leading  them  through  it  on  a  path  of 
righteousness,  where  neither  sin,  nor  separation  from 

God,  Can  befall  them,  they  are  each  fully  persuaded 
that  they  have  good  reason  toatlirm  with  the  Psalmist, 
••  I  will  fear  no  evil  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death.''  Such  was  the  persuasion  of  a  now  eainted 
minister  of  ( 'luist.*  "  I  want  to  talk  to  you  about 
heaven,"  said  this  dying  parent  to  a  member  of  Ins 
family.     "  We  may  not  be  spared  tc  each  other  Long. 

*  The  lute  Rev.  Hugh  Stowoll,  Rector  of  Ballangh,  Isle  of  Man,  a 
devoted  servart.  of  the  Lord,  whose  memory  is  embalmed  in  the   heart 

pf  the  writer,  t.nd  still  retains  its  fragrance  after  many  vars  ! 

"2 


134  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

May  we  meet  around  the  throne  of  glory,  one  family 
in  heaven  F  Overpowered  at  the  thought,  his  beloved 
daughter  exclaimed,  "  Surely  you  do  not  think  there 
is  any  danger  ?"  Calmly  and  beautifully  he  replied, 
"  Danger,  my  darling  !  Oh,  do  not  use  that  word  ! 
There  can  be  no  danger  to  the  Christian,  whatever 
may  happen  !  All  is  right !  All  is  well !  God  is  love  ! 
All  is  well !  Everlastingly  well !  Everlastingly  well !" 
Such  was  the  actual  experience  of  a  departed  servant 
of  the  living  God.  Not  a  doubt,  nor  a  fear,  was  pei  - 
mitted  to  cross  his  mind.  He  saw  no  danger  in  the 
dark  valley.  He  felt  no  fear  of  evil  when  called  to 
enter  into  it.  Death  appeared  to  him  but  as  a  dark 
shadow,  through  which  it  was  necessary  to  pass,  in 
order  to  reach  the  clear  atmosphere  and  bright  sunshine 
of  the  land  beyond.  His  language  therefore  was, 
"  There  can  be  no  danger  to  the  Christian  whatever 
may  happen  !"  And  continually  was  lie  heard  saying, 
"  Joy  and  happiness  !  Joy  and  happiness  !  I  am  just 
at  home — just  at  home  now  !" 

"  To  fear  no  evil,"  then,  ';  in  the  valley  of  the  shad- 
ow of  death,"  is  a  blessed  privilege  open  to  every  true 
believer  !  "  For  death  shall  be  to  him  no  death  at  all ; 
but  a  very  deliverance  from  death,  from  all  pains,  cares, 
and  sorrows ;  miseries  and  wretchedness  of  this  world  : 
and  the  very  entry  into  rest,  and  a  beginning  of  ever- 
lasting joy :  a  tasting  of  heavenly  pleasures,  so  great, 
that  neither  tongue  is  able  to  express,  neither  eye  to 
see,  nor  ear  to  hear  them,  no,  nor  any  earthly  man's 

heart  to  conceive  them And  to  comfort  all 

Christian  persons  herein,  Holy  Scripture  calleth  this 
bodily  death  a  sleep,  wherein  man's  senses  be,  as  it 
were,  taken  from  him  for  a  season,  and  yet,  when  he 
nwaketb,   he  is   more  fresh  than    when   he   went  to 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  135 

bed  !  ....  Thus  is  this  bodily  death  a  door  or  en- 
tering into  life,  and  therefore  not  so  much  dreadful,  if 
it  be  rightly  considered,  aa  it  is  comfortable ;  not  a  mis- 
chief, but  a  remedy  for  all  mischief;  no  enemy,  but  a 
friend:  not  a  cruel  tyrant,  1  i  tie  guide;  Leading 

u>  not  to  mortality,  but  to  immortality  !  not  to  sorrow 
and  pain,  but  to  joy  and  pleasui  -.  and  that  to  endure 
for  ever!'' — Homily  Against  the  Fear  of  Deaf//. 

The  act  of  dying  i~  Dot  ae  accompanied 

with  suffering.  Dissolution  often  takes  place  without 
any  bodily  pains.  The  gentle  breathing  of  our  dying 
friend,  by  slow  decrees  subsides.  Our  own,  is  almost 
suspended  with  anxiety.  We  watch.  Wehope.  We 
tremble.  One  moment  we  think  he  surely  will  awake 
to  life  a'_r;iin.  Another  moment  tells  us  that  his  spirit 
has  awaked  in  the  eternal  world.  Yet  DOthing  oc- 
curred, ii  may  he.  to  mark  its  departure  from  the  body. 
No  shudder.  .No  groan.  No  sigh.  Sweetly  and 
peacefully  he  has  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus  !  Such  how- 
ever is  not  the  dying  experience  of  all  the  members  of 
the  Hock.  Others  sutler  much,  and  Buffer  Long.  Yet 
sickness  and  diseases,  agonies  and  pains,  are  but  the 
precursors  of  death,  not  death  itself.  .Many  of  the 
li\  imr  have  endured  more  dreadful  sufferings  than 
multitudes  of  the  dyiog.  Pangs  the  most  iatenae, 
have  been  often  borne  with  heroic  courage.  Heathens 
have  contemned  the  pains  of  death.  Which  then  of 
all  our  natural  feelings,  most  powerfully  affects  the 
heart  of  the  dyiog1?  It  is  separation  from  beloved  rel- 
atives and  friends !  How  sweet  has  been  their  com- 
panionship. Their  pleasant  converse  has  cheered  and 
enlivened  all  the  paths  of  our  pilgrimage.  But  now 
we  must  leave  them  foraloog  journey,  never  to  return. 
They  weep  to  part  with  us.       We  mourn  to  part  from 


136  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

them.      Is  such  a  sorrow  sinful  ?     Oh  no !     It  is  as 

natural  and  christian,  as  it  is  tender  and  subduing. 
[f  too  much  indulged,  however,  it  will  mar  our  peace, 
weaken  our  faith,  and  bedim  our  hope  !  The  holy 
Apostle  did  not  forbid  the  Christian  to  sorrow,  but  only 
"  not  as  others,"— in  the  same  manner,  and  to  the  same 
extent,  as  the  heathen  "who  hove  no  hope/'  1  Thess. 
iv.  13.  The  ever-compassionate  Redeemer  did  not  re- 
strain his  own  sympathizing  tears.  When  he  beheld 
two  weeping  sisters,  and  their  mourning  friends,  "  Je- 
sus wept."  If,  then,  our  separation  from  earthly 
friends,  be  the  most  formidable  and  distressing  of  the 
accompaniments  of  death,  how  desirable,  how  neces- 
sary, that  our  departing  spirit  should  know  a  higher 
and  a  better  Friend,  in  that  world  which  it  is  about  to 
enter  !  How  consolatory  to  think,  that  while  earthly 
friends  are  weeping  beside  the  lifeless  body,  purer  and 
holier  friends  are  rejoicing  with  the  immortal  spirit ! 
How  blessed,  when  contemplating  our  new  and  lonely 
journey,  to  turn  to  One  who  will  accompany  us 
through  its  whole  extent,  to  guide,  to  guard,  and  to 
console  us  !  Such  is  the  privilege  of  all  the  members 
of  the  flock  of  Christ.  The  hope  of  the  gospel  is  their 
antidote  to  grief.  The  friendships  of  earth  are  indeed 
precious.  Nothing  can — nothing  ought  to  eclipse  them, 
but  the  friendship  of  Heaven.  There  is  ONE  there 
who  is  nearer  and  dearer  than  friend  or  neighbour, 
brother  or  sister,  father  or  mother,  son  or  daughter, 
wife  or  husband  ;  and  the  anguish  of  parting  from 
them,  can  only  be  counterbalanced  by  the  joy  of  meet- 
ing with  Him  !  To  know  that  this  heavenly  Friend 
is  near  at  hand,  inspires  our  hearts  with  courage.  To 
"look  upstcdfastly  into  heaven/'  and  with  St.  Stephen's 
faith  to  see  our  glorified  Shepherd  standing  at  the  right 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  137 

nand  of  God,  as  if  waiting  to  accompany  us  through 
the  dark  valley,  may  well  dispel  every  sorrow  from  the 
heart,  transform  the  weeping  countenance,  and  make 
it  like  an  angel's  face,  beaming  with  heavenly  joy  ! 
Such  was  the  blessed  experience  of  the  heart  of  the 
Psalmist  wheu  he  exclaimed,  "Yea,  though  1  walk 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  1  will  fear 
no  evil,  for  Thou  art  with  me,  Thy  rod  and 
Thy  stall'  they  comfort  me  !'' 
12* 


PART   II 


THE    SHEPHEKD    3UIDING    AND    COMFORTING    HIS    SHEEP 
THROUGH  THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH. 

Verse  4. — For  Thou  art  with  me,  thy  rod  and  tny 
staff  they  comfort  me. 

In  the  former  part  of  this  verse,  the  Psalmist  presented 
himself  to  our  view,  as  a  member  of  the  faithful  flock, 
closely  tracing  the  footsteps  of  the  good  Shepherd : — 
as  resolutely  following  him  along  the  rough  and  thorny 
road,  and  through  the  darkest  and  most  dangerous 
defiles  : — yea,  and  as  walking  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  with  an  undaunted  mind,  and  say- 
ing, "  I  will  fear  no  evil."  And  now,  in  this  latter  part 
of  the  verse,  he  reveals  the  secret  source  of  his  courage, 
and  discovers  to  us  the  grounds  of  his  confidence, 
"For  Thou  art  with  me;  thy  rod  and  thy  stall"  they 
comfort  me." 

When  we  are  about  to  enter  into  another,  and  that 
an  unknown,  world,  how  blessed  and  supporting  must 
it  be,  to  have  the  King  of  that  country  at  our  side 
affording  protection,  imparting  consolation,  subduing 
fear,  and  inspiring  hope  !  Such  is  the  blessed  privilege 
of  the  (lock  of  the  good  Shepherd  when  called  to  enter 
the  eternal  world.  They  experience  that  theirs  is  a 
Royal  Shepherd.  I  le  is  Lord  of  the  kingdom  of  grace, 
through  which  they  have  journeyed.  He  is  Lord  also 
of  the  kingdom   of  glory,  upon  which   they  are  just 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  139 

entering.  And  as  the  Lord  their  Shepherd,  he  is  most 
graciously  near  them.  He  is  the  last  to  comfort  them 
in  time,  and  the  first  to  welcome  them  in  eternity. 
\  r.i.  He  condescends  to  accompany  them  as  they  walk  ; 
•and  to  be  their  guide  and  their  guard  across  the  unseen 
boundaries.  The  Royal  Shepherd  is  ever  with  his 
sheep.  He  is  not  only  near  to  them,  In-  identifies  him- 
self with  them.  He  makes  their  cause  his  own.  He 
guides  them  as  their  Shepherd — he  protects  them  as 
their  King — and  the  king  of  terrors  flees  dismayed 
before  him.  So  certain  does  the  Psalmist  feel  of  his 
Shepherd's  presence,  that  he  speaks  of  it  in  the  pres- 
ent tense,  as  though  he  already  experienced  its  com- 
fort in  the  dark  valley.  He  does  not  say,  "  I  will  tear 
no  evil,  for  thou  wilt  bo  with  me  :'"  but,  "  I  will  fear 
no  i\il.  for  thou  art  with  me."  Oh,  amazing  thought  ! 
The  Shepherd  with  Ins  dying  Bheep!  The  Creator 
drawimr  near  to  his  decaying  creature  !  The  Prince, 
of  life  present  with  his  expiring  people  !  \\  ho  shall 
describe  the  blessedness  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord  ! 
A  seraph's  tongue  could  not  unfold  it.  The  presence 
of  *  rod  is  (lie  joy  of  angels — the  bliss  of  heaven— the 
brightness  of  immortality  !  It  constitutes  the  sweetest, 
the  purest,  the  most  satisfying  and  transcendent,  hap- 
piness which  any  created  bein^  can  enjoy!  It  is 
heaven  upon  earth  ! 

The  holiest  and  best  of  men,  in  all  aire-,  have  ear- 
nestly prayed  for  the  enjoyment  of  God's  pjesence. 
They  regarded  it  as  the  strength  of  their  heart — the 
shield  of  their  protection — and  the  fountain  of  their 
joy.  [ts  absence  they  deprecated  as  the  most  dreadful 
of  all  evils  that  could  possibly  befell  them.  ••  [f  thy 
presence  go  not  with  us,  carry  us  not  up  hence.  To 
go  forward  in  our  own  strength — to  trust  in  our  own 


140  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

wisdom  and  virtue,  is  a  fatal  security.  Especially 
awful  is  such  self-confidence  when  we  are  about  to 
descend  into  the  dark  valley.  Dangers  threaten  on 
every  side.  The  way  is  dark  and  intricate.  Enemies 
are  on  the  watch.  Snares  and  pitfalls  abound.  How 
then  can  the  weak  and  silly  sheep  direct  its  path,  escape 
these  dangers,  and  subdue  its  foes  ?  But  if  the  heavenly 
Shepherd  be  with  it,  how  can  it  miss  the  way  ?  If  the 
Mighty  God  be  for  us,  "  who,"  asks  the  Apostle,  ';  who 
can  be  against  us  ?"  If  the  Lord  Jehovah  be  at  oui 
right  hand,  with  what  victory  shall  we  not  triumph  ? 
He  has  himself  passed  through  this  vallej".  He  knows 
every  turn  and  winding  of  the  road.  He  can  detect 
every  snare  of  our  most  crafty  foe.  His  single  arm  is 
strong  to  defend  us  against  the  united  opposition  of  the 
world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil.  He  is  worthy  therefore 
of  our  fullest  confidence.  And  Oh,  how  gracious  is  this 
heavenly  Friend,  this  Divine  Shepherd,  thus  to  accom- 
pany every  member  of  his  flock  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death  !  How  kind,  how  condescending, 
to  conduct  them  himself  through  the  dreary  shade, 
and  to  lighten  its  terrific  gloom  by  the  brightness  of  his 
presence ! 

The  presence  of  God  has  ever  inspired  his  faithful 
people  with  a  most  noble  courage.  It  has  filled  their 
hearts  with  "  perfect  peace,"  when  exposed  to  appall- 
ing dangers,  or  to  the  most  cruel  sufferings  and  death. 
How  calmly  stood  tbe  servant  of  God,  amid  the  howl- 
ing tempest  and  impending  shipwreck,  when  he  bade 
the  disconsolate  mariners  "  be  of  good  cheer  !"  What 
was  the  secret  of  his  peace  ?  The  Lord  was  with  him  ! 
Acts  xxvii.  23.  What  sustained  the  same  Apostle  in 
the  imperial  city,  when  surrounded  by  heathen  ene- 
mies, and  forsaken  by  christian  friends,  and  expecting 


TIT  :    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  141 

a  violent  death  1     Was  it  not  that  the  Lord  stood  with 
him  and  strengthened  him?  2  Tim.  iv.  17.     Wliat 
made  the  prison  at  Philippi  ring  with  the  unwonted 
sounds  of  prayer  and  praise  ?     Who  tanght  two  iron- 
bound  prisoners,  though  lacerated  with  "  many  stripes," 
(o  sing  for  joy  at  midnight  ?     Their  Lord  and  Saviour, 
who  was  present  with  them  !     What  cnahled  the  no 
hle  army  of  martyrs  to  he  faithful  unto  death  ?    It  was 
the  presence  of  the  everlasting  God  !     I  lis  Spirit  was 
within  their  hearts,  and  strengthened   them  to  say, 
"God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help 
m  trouble:  therefore   will  not  we    fear,   though    the 
earth  he  removed,  and  though  the  mountains  he  ear- 
ned into  the   midst  of  the  sea;  though   the    waters 
thereof  roar  and  he  troubled,  though  the  mountains 
shake  with  the  swelling  thereof.     The  Lord  of  hosts 
13  ^th  ru,s '  ,hc  <i,,(1  of  JacoD  is  our  refuge,"  Psa.  xlvi. 
1—/.     This  h  the  -rami  secret  of  the  confidence  of 
believers.     Their  Lord  is  with  then,  jn  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death.     As  truly  as  he  was  seen  with 
the  three  children   in  the  burning  fiery  furnace, 
truly  is  he.  in  a  spiritual  manner,  with  all  hi-  feithfol, 
but  afflicted,  and  dying,  people,  sympathising,   com- 
forting, and   delivering!     Vr,  0   believer,    thy  God 
will  be  with  thee !     Whensoever  thou  -hah  he  called, 
•'•"id  in  whatsoever  circumstances;  whether  dying  in 
the  desert,  or  sinking  in  the  ocean:  expiring  on  thy 
l»ll<»w.  or  felling  at   thy   table:  surrounded    by   thy 
friends,  or  pining  away  in  solitude:  racked  by  pains, 
or  wasting  with  disease  j  tortured  by  men.  or  assaulted 
by  Satan,  thy  Lord  will  be  with  thee.  Jehovah  thy 
Shepherd  will  he  thy  comforter,  for  "  precious  in  the 
Bighl  oi  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  hi-  saints!" 

Fear  not.  then,  O  Christian,  when  thou  art  about 


142  THE    SHADOW    DF    DEATH. 

lo  descend  into  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 
Thou  shalt  suffer  no  evil.  Thou  shalt  not  be  detained 
a  prisoner.  Thou  shalt  walk  through  it  as  the  con- 
quered territory  of  thy  Lord.  Thy  Shepherd  will 
accompany  thee.  Oh  then,  fear  not  death.  Fear  sin  ! 
Oh,  fear  not  death.  Fear  separation  from  thy  God  ! 
Then  death  cannot  separate  thee ;  sin  cannot  con- 
demn thee ;  and  dissolution  cannot  destroy  thee ! 
Walk  with  thy  God  through  life,  and  thou  shalt  fear 
no  evil  in  thy  death.  Anticipate  thy  last  journey  in 
every  possible  variety  of  aspect.  Think  of  it  as  a 
valley  for  depth,  or  as  the  night  for  darkness.  Let  it 
be  as  through  waters  for  their  rage,  or  through  a  fiery 
furnace  for  its  burning  pain.  Suppose  thyself  tossed 
in  an  affrighted  bark,  and  about  to  sink  into  a  watery 
grave — or  bound  in  a  prison,  and  about  to  walk 
through  an  ignominious  death — or  surrounded  by  thy 
most  malignant  enemies,  and  expiring  under  the 
hands  of  torturers :  Feat  not !  Thy  Lord  will  pre- 
serve thee  from  all  evil,  he  shall  preserve  thy  soul ! 
If  the  billows  open  to  receive  thee,  or  the  furnace  and 
the  faggot  flame  to  consume  thee,  still  fear  no  evil. 
Thy  Lord  will  be  near  thee  !  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
that  created  thee,  O  Jacob,  and  he  that  formed  thee, 

0  Israel,  Fear  not ;  for  I  have  redeemed  thee.  I  have 
called  thee  by  thy  name.  Thou  art  mine.  When 
thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  : 
and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee: 
when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be 
burned,  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee ;  for 

1  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  thy 
Saviour,"  Isa.  xliii.  1 — 3.  Rejoice,  then,  O  Christian  ? 
Be  strong  in  thy  God.  It  is  not  an  angel  who  prom- 
tees  to  attend  thee.     Neither  do  seraphim  or  cherubim 


THE    SHAEC  \V    OF    DEATH.  143 

here  volunteer  to  sustain  thee.  It  is  God  himself,  the 
Mighty  God,  who  vouchsafes  to  he  thy  guide  in  diffi- 
culty, thy  guard  in  danger,  thy  light  in  darkness,  and 
thy  life  in  death  !  The  ministering  spirits  attend  thee, 
only  because  their  God  is  with  thee.  They  draw  mar. 
when  he  has  come  to  thine  aid.  They  receive  and 
welcome  thee,  because  he  has  accepted  thy  soul.  The 
bidding  of  the  Lord  regulates  all  their  offices  of  love. 
Without  his  sanction  and  command,  they  could  do 
nothing  for  thee; — they  would  not,  if  they  could. 
Where  Jehovah's  presence  is  not  graciously  vouch- 
safed, the  angels  of  light  and  love  hover  not  around 
the  departing  spirit ! 

The  good  Shepherd,  while  here  on  earth,  gave  a 
faithful  promise  to  he  ever  present  with  his  Hock. 
That  promise  extends  to  all  periods.  It  comprehends 
all  circumstances.  Time  lleets,  and  generations  lade, 
but  his  word  endure-.  c<  Lo  !  I  am  with  you  always, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world!*'  This  was  his  fare- 
well promise  ;  and  now  that  he  is  ascended  into  heav- 
en he  fails  not  to  remember  it.  Pear  not  then.  ( I  be- 
liever, thai  thou  shalt  ever  he  forsaken.  While  one 
of  his  people  remains  upon  the  earth,  so  Long  will  he- 
continue  to  perform  his  word.  Before  his  departure 
he  promised  to  Ms  mourning  disciples  that  he  would 
not  leave  them  "comfortless,"  and  ere  lonur  he  poured 
upon  them  of  his  lh>ly  Spirit.  That  Spirit,  the  gra- 
cious Comforter,  he  will  also  pour  on  thee  !  At  the 
hour  of  thy  greatest  need,  thy  greatest  consolations 
shall  be  vouchsafed.  Only  cleave  thou  to  thy  Shep- 
herd. Follow  close  in  his  leading-  "  Be  faithful 
unto  death,  and  he  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  li 

The  good  Shepherd  is  not  only  near  to  his  flock  in 
the  dark  valley  ;  he  also  uses  every  means  to  sustain, 


144  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

to  defend,  and  to  encourage  tliem.  He  will  neither 
go  before  them  at  a  distance,  nor  walk  inattentively 
at  their  side.  His  "  rod  and  his  staff"  shall  be  em- 
ployed to  "comfort"  them.  With  the  "rod"  the  shep- 
herd gathers  his  sheep,  counts  their  number,  directs 
their  movements,  and  rules  over  the  flock.  The  rod 
is  thus  an  emblem  of  his  power,  and  of  his  ownership ; 
and,  figuratively,  this  rod  is  typical  of  the  power  and 
presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  "staff"  with  its 
crook,  is  employed  for  the  relief  of  those  sheep  that  are 
entangled  in  the  thicket,  that  are  fallen  into  a  pit,  or 
that  are  seized  by  any  of  the  beasts  of  prey.  TV  ith 
his  staff  the  shepherd  extricates  his  sheep  from  every 
difficulty,  and  grapples  with,  and  beats  down,  every 
assailant.  It  is  thus  an  emblem  of  the  near  and  ready 
aid  of  the  shepherd  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  his 
flock.  The  staff  of  the  spiritual  Shepherd  is  the 
Word  of  God. 

These  two  instruments,  the  rod  and  the  staff,  the 
oriental  shepherd  never  lays  aside,  and  uses  them 
separately,  or  conjointly,  as  occasion  may  require. 
Lev.  xxvii.  32  ;  Ezek.  xx.  37  ;  Micah  vii.  14  ;  Zech. 
xi.  7.  The  heavenly  Shepherd  uses  the  rod  of  his 
Spirit,  and  the  staff  of  his  Word  to  sustain  and  to  de- 
liver his  flock.  With  these  he  leads  and  cheers  them 
through  life.  With  these  he  upholds  and  comforts 
them  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  !  When 
Satan  would  assault  the  soul,  and  claim  it  as  his  own, 
the  Shepherd  extends  over  us  the  "  rod  of  his  strength.*' 
He  numbers  us  amongst  the  members  of  his  little  flock, 
and  will  not  sutler  us  to  be  plucked  out.  of  his  hand. 
When  faith  waxes  dim,  and  we  scarcely  discern  the 
peaceful  path  through  the  valley,  the  rod  of  his  Spirit 
directs  us  {fight,  and  preserves  our  footsteps  in  the 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  115 

straight  and  only  road.  "And  thino  ears  shall  hoar 
a  word  behind  thee,  Baying,  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye 
in  it.*"  Again  when  anxious  cares  oppress  the  mind, 
and  the  thicket  of  perplexity  impedes  our  progress,  the 
Shepherd  will  extricate  us  with  the  "staff"  of  his 
Word  !  He  will  beat  down  every  entanglement  that 
fastens  us  to  this  present  evil  world  :  and  he  w  ill  set  us 
free  to  go  forward  without  hindrance  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death.  "These  things  I  have  spoken 
unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might  have  peace.  In  the 
world  ye  shall  have  tribulation;  hut  he  of  good  cheer, 
1  have  overcome  the  world."  John  \\i.  33.  "Peace  I 
leave  with  you,  my  peace  1  give  unto  you  :  not  as  the 
world  giveth,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  heart  be 
troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid."*  John  xiv.  27.  Again 
if  we  fall  into  the  Blough  of  despondency,  or  almost 
into  the  pit  of  despair,  the  Shepherd  will  both  reach 
and  raise  us  with  his  rod,  and  assist  and  support  us  with 
aff.  1  h-  w  ill  send  his  Spirit  \\  ith  bis  \\  prd  into  our 
hearts,  N\  e  shall  !>e  strengthened  to  arise.  We  Bhall  be 
directed  to  firm  and  Btable  footing.  <>ur  feeble  Bteps 
shall  lie  upheld.  And  w  e  Bhall  be  enabled  to  Bay  ;i-  we 
advance,  "Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

How  truly,  indeed,  how  invariably,  do  we  hear  the 
dying  believer  testify  that  nil  the  comforl  be  enjoys  is 
derived  from  the  Spirit  and  the  Word  of  God!  U 
one  moment,  the  good  Spirit  witnesses  within  him; 
at  another,  the  holy  Word  instructs  him;  and  con- 
tinually the  comforting  power  of  both  are  evidenced 
by  the  sentiments  of  deep  and  rich  experience  which 
issue  from  his  lips.  The  Spirit  takes  of  the  things  of 
Christ,  and  shows  them  to  his  soul,  lb-  brings  to  bis 
remembrance  with  peculiar  power,  propriety,  and  sea- 
sunablencss  whatsoever  Christ  lias  spoken.     The  Spi> 

13 


146  THE    SHADOW    OP    DEATH. 

rit  of  adoption  witnesses  with  his  spirit  that  he  is  a 
child  of  God  ;  and  sheds  abroad  Divine  love  in  hi3 
heart.  The  Spirit  enlightens  his  understanding'  to 
comprehend  the  amazing  plan  of  salvation.  Redemp- 
tion is  opened  clearly  before  him.  He  is  enabled  to 
see  that  as  a  dying  sinner,  he  has  a  more  sure  and 
glorious  salvation  by  his  Redeemer's  righteousness, 
than  he  could  have  ever  obtained  from  his  own,  how- 
ever perfect.  The  "  fear  of  death"  may  have  formerly 
made  him  "subject  to  bondage,"  but  now  he  is  de- 
livered from  its  thraldom,  Keb.  ii.  15.  The  Spirit  has 
given  him  everlasting  emancipation  ;  for  '-where  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty."  He  feels  that 
the  Spirit  of  life  has  "  made  him  free  from  the  law  of 
sin  and  death."  He  discerns  by  the  Spirit  that  the 
offended  law  is  not  only  appeased  and  satisfied,  but  also 
"magnified  and  made  honourable"  by  the  perfect 
obedience  of  a  Divine  person  in  human  nature,  to  all 
its  penalties  and  requirements.  He  knows  that  the 
sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  that  the  strength  of  sin  is 
the  law,  but  he  also  knows  in  what  a  godlike  manner 
the  Lord  Jesus  has  achieved  his  victory  over  it.  He 
perceives  how  by  his  righteous  obedience  to  the  law  he 
deprived  sin  of  its  strength  to  condemn,  and  thus  ren- 
dered the  monster's  sting  powerless  to  destroy.  He 
therefore,  believes  in  him  as  the  "Lord  his  righteous- 
ness," and  enjoys  a  complete  triumph  by  the  Spirit 
over  the  fear  of  death,  and  over  him  that  had  the  power 
of  death,  and  consequently  is  enabled  to  say,  "Thanks 
be  to  God  which  giveth  me  the  victory  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ !"  1  Cor.  xv.  57. 

The  Word  of  God  also  is  ever  at  hand,  as  a  "  staff," 
for  support  to  the  dying  believer.  It  is  ready  for  im- 
mediate and  continual  use.     It  was  the  Shepherd's  own 


THE    SHADOW    OP    DEATH.  147 

staff  while  he  lived  on  the  earth..  With  it  he  walked 
through  life,  and  beat  off  the  assaults  of  every  enemy, 
Matt.  iv.  1 — 11.  The  good  Shepherd  never  tails  to 
use  the  s.iiih'  staff  of  his  Word  to  comfort  the  members 
of  his  Hock.  When  the  dying  saint  has  opened  the 
sacred  p;i<_r<',  and  is  perusing  its  instructive  words.  He 
applies  to  his  mind  such  passages  as  these — "There 
hath  no  temptation  taken  you,  hut  such  as  is  common 
to  man:  but  God  la  faithful,  who  will  not  suffer  you  to 
be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able  ;  but  will  with  the 
temptation  also  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be 
able  to  bear  it,"  1  Cor.  x.  13. — "  For  God  hath  not  ap- 
pointed us  to  wrath,  but  to  obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  :  who  died  for  us.  that  whether  we  wake 
or  sleep,  ire  Bhould  live  together  with  him."  1  The--, 
v.  '.*.  id. — "For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever ; 
he  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death.'"  I'>a.  xlviii. 
11. — ••  And  the  God  of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan  under 
your  feet  shortly."'  Rom.  xvi.  20.  -"Come  unto  me, 
all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest,"  Bfatt  \i.  28. — "Him  that  cometh  unto  me 
1  will  in  no  wise  cast  out,"  John  vi.  37. — "Not  by 
works  <*f  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but  ac- 

COrding  to    his  mercy  he   saved  u~.  by  the    washing  of 

regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
he  shed  on  us  abundantly  through  Jesus  (  hrist  our 
Saviour,"  Titus  iii.  5,  G. — "Fear  not,  little  flock,  for  it 
is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  king- 
dom, "  Luke  xii.  32. 

In  the  long  continuance  of  disease,  and  in  the  ex- 
tremity of  weakness,  when  the  fertile  hands  can  no 
longer  hold  the  volume  of  truth,  and  the  filmj  eye  can- 
not trace  its  sacred  page,  then  the  good  Shepherd 
employs  some  beloved  relative  or  friend  to  administer 


148  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

support  and  consolation  by  the  reading  of  the  Word. 
How  comforting,  and  suitable  to  every  case,  are  the 
varied  experiences  in  the  book  or  Psalms  !  What  an 
example  is  furnished  to  the  most  afflicted,  by  the  his- 
tory of  the  patriarch  Job,  who  confided  in  God  amid 
the  severest  trials,  and  exclaimed,  il  Though  he  slay 
me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him  !"  How  instructive,  and 
consolatory,  and  appropriate,  do  many  passages  of  the 
Prophets  appear  !  What  abundant  consolation  does 
the  New  Testament  supply  !  In  the  holy  Gospels  the 
suffering  Saviour  is  exhibited  as  our  best  exemplar  in 
the  trials  of  life,  and  in  the  agonies  of  death  !  The 
contemplation  of  his  meekness,  and  faith,  and  patience, 
animates  us  to  follow  him  with  a  similar  mind.  How 
often  has  the  dying  believer  directed  his  mourning 
friends  to  read  for  him  the  consoling  narrative  of  the 
resurrection  of  Lazarus,  and  of  the  tender  sympathy 
of  Jesus,  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  St.  John  !  How 
still  more  frequently  has  he  requested  to  hear  the  fare- 
well discourse  of  our  blessed  Lord  with  his  disciples, 
and  his  comprehensive  prayer,  contained  in  the  four- 
teenth and  three  following  chapters  !  To  what  count- 
less numbers  of  dying  saints  has  this  portion  of  God's 
word,  proved  as  a  strong  staff  of  support,  when  walk- 
ing through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  !  How 
strengthening,  also,  is  the  perusal  of  the  apostolical 
Epistles  !  The  eighth  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the 
Romans,  teaches  the  believer  to  rise  superior  to  earthly 
sufferings — assures  him  that  <;  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God" — and  causes  him  to 
feel  a  blessed  persuasion  that  "  neither  death,  nor  life, 
nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  shall  be  able  to  separate 
him  from  the  love  of  God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  his 
Lord."     The  fifteenth  chapter  of  the  First  Epistle  to 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEAT.II.  149 

the  Corinthians  establishes  his  hope  of  a  "blessed  res- 
urrection"— informs  him  that  "death  itself,  the  Lasl 
enemy,  shall  be  destroyed*' — and  puts  this  triumphant 
song  into  his  mouth,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting? 
O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory?  The  sting  of  death 
is  -in;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks 
be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ!"  In  the  Second  Epistle  to  the 
Corinthian-,  the  dying  Christian  is  instructed  so  to 
"look  at  eternal  things,  as  to  count  even  the  perishing 
of  his  outward  man  a  light  affliction,  and  but  for  a 
moment'' — he  is  taught  to  be  "willing  rather  to  be 
absent  from  the  body,  and  to  be  present  with  the  Lord*' 
— and  he  i-  gladdened  by  the  assurance  that  "God 
was  in  ( Jhrist  reconciling  him  unto  himself,  not  impu- 
ting unto  him  his  trespasses,"  chapters  iv.  and  v.  The 
Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  presents  to  him  au  unchange- 
able "counsel,"  and  an  inviolable  ••oath,"'  that  by 
"two  immutable  things  in  which  it  is  impossible  for 
God  to  lie,"  he  might  enjoy  "  strong  consolation."  \\<<\ 
it  sets  before  him  the  bright  "examples"  of  innumer- 
able believers  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  who 
"all  died  in  faith,"  "confessing  that  they  were  stran- 
gers and  pilgrims  on  the  earth.'*  and  "declaring  that 
they  sought  a  better  country,  that  is  an  heavenly," 
chapters  \i.  and  si.  Lastly,  the  Hook  of  Revelation 
displays  that  country  to  his  view  in  the  most  distinct 
and  inviting  form  :  gives  him  to  feel  as  though  he  were 
already  acquainted  with  its  beauty  and  its  blessedness  : 

and  enables  him,  by  a  realizing  faith,  to  medital i 

the  glorious  ••throne."  the  worshipping  "elders,"and 
the  myriads  of  "angels:" — on  the  '-white  robed  mul- 
titude, who  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more, 
but  with  palms  in  their  hands  and  every  tear  wij»ed 

13* 


150  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

from  their  eyes,  serve  God  day  and  night  in  his  temple :" 
and  on  the  blessedness  of  those  that  are  "  called  to  the 
marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb,  who  have  their  part  in 
the  first  resurrection  !"  He  sees,  as  it  were  spread  out 
before  him,  the  "  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth," 
where  there  is  "  no  more  curse,"  because  there  is  no 
more  sin ;  where  is  "  no  more  pain,  neither  sorrow, 
nor  crying,  and  no  more  death."  He  surveys  the 
"  golden  streets,"  the  "  crystal  river,"  and  the  "  ever- 
fruitful  trees"  of  the  "  Holy  City,"  where  there  is  "  no 
temple,  and  no  night,  no  sun  and  no  moon,"  but  of 
which  "  the  Lord  God  Almighty  and  the  Lamb  are  the 
temple"  and  the  light,  the  glory  and  the  joy : — and 
where  the  "  tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and  he  will 
dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  people,  and  God 
himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their  God  !" 

Gazing  intently  on  the  beatific  vision  which  the 
Book  of  Revelation  presents  so  him,  the  enraptured 
saint  delights  to  hear  the  threefold  note  of  its  conclud- 
ing chapter :  "  Behold  I  come  quickly  !"  vcr.  7.  "  And 
behold  I  come  quickly  !"  ver.  12.  "  Surely  I  come 
quickly !"  ver.  20.  And  with  his  last  expiring  breath, 
he  exclaims,  "  Amen.  Even  so,  Come,  Lord  Jesus ;" 
and  take  me  tc  thy  home  ! 

How  many  have  witnessed  in  the  chamber  of  death 
that  the  Spirit  and  the  Word  have  thus  afforded 
strong  consolation  to  the  departing  Christian  !  How 
often  have  weeping  relatives  beheld  a  brightening  eye 
and  a  heavenly  countenance,  in  their  dying  friend,  as 
he  expressed,  at  broken  intervals,  the  sentiments  of  his 
heart!  "  Surely  I  know  that  it  shall  be  well  with 
them  that  fear  God,  which  fear  before  him." — "As  for 
me,  1  will  behold  thy  face  in  righteousness  :  I  shall  be 
satisfied   when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness." — In  my 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  151 

present  condition  what  should  I  do,  without  an    \1- 
mighty  Saviour?— How  should  I  feel,  did  I  not  possess 
a    Divine   Comforter?— "For  I  know  that   my  Re- 
deemer liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  hitter 
day  upon  the  earth  :  and  though  after  my  skin  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God: 
whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine    eyes    shall 
behold,  and    not  another;  though  my  reins  he  con- 
sumed within  mi'."- ':  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth  : 
but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion 
for  ever."— "Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul? 
and  why  art  thou  disquieted  in  me?     Hope  thou  in 
God;    for    I    shall    yet   praise    him    for   the   help  of 
countenance."— "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners;  of  whom   I  am  chief.'" — 
"The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin." 
-— "O    Lord,    I   will   praise   thee:   though    thou   wast 
angry  with  me.  thine  anger  is  turned  away,  and  thou 
comfortedst  me."— " Behold,  God  is  my  salvation,  I  will 
trust,  and  not  he  afraid:  for  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  my 
strength  and  my  song;  he  also  is  hecome  my  salva- 
tion." — ••  I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  my  bouI 
shall  be  joyful  in  my  God,  for  he  hath  clothed  me  with 
the  garments  of  salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with 
the   robe  of  righteousness.,, — "  And   the   Lord   shall 
deliver  me  from  every  evil  work,  and  will  preserve  me 
unto  his  heavenly  kingdom:   to  whom  be  glory  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen."—"  For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ, 
and  to  die  is  sain.     For  I  am  in  a  strait  betwixt  two, 
having  a  desire  to  depart  and   to  be   with  Christ ; 
which  is  far  better!"' 

Pear  no  evil  then,  O  Christian,  when  contemplating 
thy  passage  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 


152  THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH. 

Thy  Shepherd  will  be  with  thee.  The  rod  of  his 
Spirit,  and  the  staff  of  his  Word,  shall  be  employed  to 
comfort  thee.  What  the  Lord  has  done  for  one  mem- 
ber of  his  flock,  he  is  both  willing  and  able  to  accom- 
plish for  all.  The  experience  of  the  Psalmist  is  the 
experience  of  believers  to  the  present  day.  Hear  the 
testimony  of  a  late  eminent  physician,  when  passing 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  :  ':  Christ  is 
all  in  all  to  me.  I  have  no  hope  except  in  him.  He 
is  indeed  all  in  all !';  To  his  departing  spirit,  a  well- 
known  voice  softly  repeated  this  animating  verse, 
"  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil:  for  thou  art  with  me; 
thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me1' — and  he 
emphatically  added,  "  They  do  comfort  me.  There 
is  no  darkness  !" — Memoirs  of  Dr.  Hope. 

Fear  no  evil  then,  O  Christian,  when  thou  walkesl 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  Only 
be  faithful  to  thy  Shepherd,  and  all  shall  be  well. 
The  light  of  his  presence,  the  rod  of  his  power,  and 
the  staff  of  his  promise,  shall  comfort  thee  in  that 
dark  and  trying  hour.  No  spiritual  foe  shall  venture 
to  approach,  when  thy  Shepherd's  presence  is  vouch- 
safed to  thee  !  And  thou  shalt  assuredly  experience 
that  there  is  no  deliverance  too  great  for  his  power  to 
accomplish  ;  and  no  consolation  too  precious  for  his 
promise  to  supply,  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  ! 
Go  forward  then,  O  Christian,  with  confidence  in  the 
care  and  power,  the  love  and  wisdom,  of  thy  heavenly 
Shepherd!  The  darkest  shades  of  that  valley  shall 
be  cheered  with  light  as  thou  followest  him.  Thy 
doubts  shall  be  dispelled  !  Thy  fears  shall  be  dis- 
persed !  Thy  weakness  shall  be  removed  !  Thy 
faith  shall  be   increased  .     Thy  love  shall  be  made 


THE    SHADOW    OF    DEATH.  .53 

strong!     Thy  hope  shall  be  made  bright !     And  with 
a  dying  believer  thou  shalt  be  enabled  to  Bay, 

It  is  told  iiic  I  must  die  ! 

< )  happy  news ! 
Be  glad,  O  my  soul! 
And  rejoice  in  Jesus  thy  Saviour ! 
If  He  intended  thy  perdition] 
Would  he  have  laid  down  his  life  for  thee  ? 
Would  he  have  expected  thee  with  so  much  patience, 
And  given  thee  n  long  a  time  for  repentance? 
Would  he  have  drawn  thee  wilh  so  great  force, 
And  crowned  thee  with  so  many  graci 
Would  he  have  called  thee  with  so  much  love, 
And  illuminated  thee  with  the  light  of  his  Spirit? 
Would  he  have  given  thee  so  many  good  desires? 
Would  he  have  Bet  tho  seal  of  the  Predestinate  upon  thee, 
Ami  dressed  thee  in  his  own  livery? 
Would  he  have  given  thee  his  own  cross, 
And  given  thee  shoulders  to  hear  it  with  patience  ? 


II. 


It  is  told  me,  I  must  die  ! 

< )  happy  news  ! 
Come  on,  my  dearest  soul ! 
Behold  thy  Jesus  calls  thee  ! 
He  prayed  for  thee  upon  his  cross  ; 
There  h«'  extended  his  arms  to  receive  thee  ; 
There  he  howed  down  his  head  to  kiss  thee  ; 
Then  he  cried  out  with  a  powerful  voice, 

"  Father,  receive  him,  he  is  mine  '." 
There  he  opened  his  heart  to  give  thee  entrance  ; 
Thsro  he  laid  down  his  life  to  purchase  life  for  the*  I 

ni. 

It  is  toid  me  I  must  dis  ! 
O  happy  n 

I  shall  no  more  suffer  pain: 

I  shall  uo  mon  be  guilty  of  sin. 


L54  THE    SHADOW    OP    DEATH. 

I  shall  no  more  be  in  danger  of  being  damned  I 
But  from  henceforth 
I  shall  see,  and  I  shall  live ; 
I  shall  praise,  and  I  shall  bless ; 
And  this  I  shall  always  do, 
Without  ever  being  weary  of  doing  what  i  always  am  to  do  I 

IV. 

It  is  told  me,  I  must  die  ! 
O  what  happiness ! 
I  am  going 
To  the  place  of  my  rest ; 
To  the  land  of  the  living 
To  the  haven  of  security 
To  the  palace  of  my  God 
To  the  nuptials  of  the  Lamb  ; 
To  sit  at  the  table  of  my  King ; 
To  feed  on  the  bread  of  angels ; 
To  see  what  no  eye  hath  seen ; 
To  hear  what  no  ear  hath  heard  ; 
To  enjoy  what  the  heart  of  man  cannot  comprehend 


O  my  Father ! 

O  thou,  the  best  of  all  Fathers ! 

Have  pity  on  the  most  wretched  of  all  thy  children ! 

I  was  dead,  but  by  thy  grace  am  now  raised  again  ! 

I  was  gone  astray  after  vanity, 

And  am  now  ready  to  appear  before  thee  ! 

O  my  Father ! 
Come  now  in  mercy  and  receive  thy  child  ! 
Give  him  the  kiss  of  peaco  ; 
Remit  unto  him  all  his  sins; 
Clothe  him  with  thy  nuptial  robe  ; 
Permit  him  to  have  a  place  at  thy  feast ; 
And  forgive,  all  those  who  are  guilty  of  his  deafa. 

From  a  Poem  by  Richard  Lakgiiorne,  Eso..,  Advocate,  entitled 
"  The  Affections  of  my  Soul,  after  Judgment  giren  against  me  in  « 
Court  of  Justice,  upon  the  Evidence  of  False  Witnesses ;"  written 
about  a.p.  1678 


THE    BANQUET. 


THE   TABLE  PREPARED. 

Verse  5. —  Thou  preparcst  a  table  before  me  in  the 
presence  of  mine  enemies. 

A  new  scene  is  here  opened  before  us.  The  Psalm- 
ist had  spoken  of  himself  as  a  sheep  under  the  care 
of  a  good  Bhepherd;  he  now  describee  himself  as  a 
guest  entertained  by  a  generous  host  He  had,  as  it 
were,  exhausted  the  preceding  metaphor.  I  f  e  had 
contemplated  the  sheep  passing  through  life,  protected, 
blessed,  and  happy  :  and  he  had  beheld  it  walking 
without  danger  or  alarm  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death  !  .So  creat  was  his  sense  of  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  towards  him,  that  h<'  felt  it  im- 
possible  to  do  justice  to  the  love  and  the  care,  the  wis- 
dom and  the  protection  of  his  heavenly  Friend.  His 
soul  delighted  to  expatiate  on  the  pleasant  theme.  He 
knew  that  neither  words  nor  metaphors,  could  suf- 
ficiently exhibit  the  excellency  of  his  God.  The 
greatness  of  the  subject;  and  the  fulness  of  his  own 
heart,  constrained  him  to  employ  '",<'  figure  after  an- 
other. Having  taken  his  first  emblematic  representa- 
tion from  bis  own  past  history  as  a  humble  shepherd, 
a  second  was  suggested  by  the  entertainments  now 
given  in  bis  honrur  nt  the  royal  court  oi  Saul     In 


156  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

this  way  he  teaches  us  that  whatever  is  good  and  de- 
sirable  in  the  different  positions  of  society,  is  hut  a 
picture  of  the  unrivalled  goodness  that  is  in  God. 
The  sweets  we  taste,  the  kindnesses  we  receive,  the 
happiness  we  enjoy,  the  scenes  of  peace,  or  of  plenty, 
which  we  "behold  on  earth,  should  ah1  lead  us  to  look 
upward  and  say,  "  Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect 
gift  is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father 
of  lights." — They  proclaim  aloud  that  God  is  love, 
most  gracious  and  most  bountiful ! 

David  had  experienced  a  remarkable  and  sudden 
elevation.  The  youthful  shepherd  had  become  a  val- 
iant warrior — and  the  attendant  of  a  fold  had  now  be- 
come an  inhabitant  of  a  court !  His  splendid  victory 
over  Goliath,  his  wide-spread  fame  as  the  deliverer  of 
his  country,  his  exalted  honours  as  the  favourite  of  the 
king;  excited  the  envy  and  the  hatred  of  many.  He 
knew  that  some  of  Saul's  servants  regarded  him  as 
their  rival,  and  entertained  towards  him  no  kindly 
sentiments.  The  king  himself,  however,  was  still  his 
friend  ;  nor  had  his  mind  as  yet  experienced  any  un- 
favourable change.  David  must  have  been  conscious 
that  he  was  the  distinguished  object  both  of  popular 
and  of  royal  favour.  He  basked  in  the  sunshine  of 
prosperity,  even  in  the  presence  of  his  enemies.  And 
his  happiness  must  have  been  greatly  increased  by  the 
fact,  that  they  had  not  been  able  to  deprive  him  of  (he 
usual  tokens  of  die  sovereign's  regard.  lie  could  still 
observe  that  he  was  a  welcome  and  an  honoured  guest. 
A  '•  table  was  prepared  before  hiin"  by  the  royal  com- 
mand '-in  the  very  presence  of  his  enemies." 

Such  were  the  circumstances  which,  we  humbly 
suppose  suggested  this  new  figure  to  the  mind  of 
David      He  does  not    mean    to    apply  this   spiritual 


THE    TABLE    PREPARED.  157 

Psalm  (o  these  external  circumstances  ;  but  he  seizes 
them  as  apt  illustrations  of  tin*  spiritual  honours  and 
happiness  which  he  received  from  above.  Jehovah 
was  David's  King,  and  David  here  speaks  of  himself 
as  Jehovah's  guest  Every  true  believer  is  the  guest 
of  God !  ll«-  enters  into  his  house  by  express  desire. 
He  draws  near  to  his  presence  by  previous  invitation. 
The  King  of  heaven  welcomes  every  believing  soul  to 
sit  down  at  his  royal  table,  lie  has  furnished  it  with 
the  abundance  of  his  goodness,  and  never  sends  any 
empty  away  ! 

Both  in  the  Old  and  in  the  New  Testament  .Scrip- 
ture-. God  is  represented  as  a  generous  Host;  and  the 
balvation  whicb  he  has  provided  for  sinful  man  is  de- 
scribed as  a  BUmptuous  feast  to  which  we  are  freely 
invited,  as  a  royal  banquet  already  prepared  and  sup- 
plied in  the  most  munificent  manner.  Though  the 
gospel  feast  be  indeed  large  and  full,  yet  to  the  believ- 
ers under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation  there  was 
also  "enough  and  to  spare."  "They  were  abundant- 
ly satisfied  with  the  fatness  of  God's  bouse  :  and  were 
made  to  drink  of  the  river  of  his  pleasures,"  Ps.  \\\\i. 
S.  Hear  the  beautiful  language  in  which  the  invita- 
tions of  grace  were  addressed  to  them.  "Wisdom 
hath  budded  her  house  j  siie  hath  hew  n  out  her  -even 
pillars;  Bhe  hath  killed  ber  beasts;  she  hath  mingled 

her    wine:    she    hath    also    furnished    her    table:    she 

hath  sent  forth  her  maidens;  Bhe  crieth  upon  the 
highest  places  of  the  city,  Whoso  is  simple  let  him 
turn  in  hither;  as  for  him  that  wanteth  understand- 
ing Bhe  saith  to  him,  <  'ome,  eat  of  my  bread,  and  drink 
of  the  wine  which  I  have  mingled.  Forsake  the  fool- 
ish, and  live,  and  go  in  the  way  of  understanding," 
Prov.  ix.  1,  6.  How  closely  docs  this  correspond  with 
14 


158  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

the  invitation  given  in  the  parable  by  our  Lord  him- 
self! "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  certain 
king  which  made  a  marriage  for  his  son,  and  sent  forth 
his  servants  to  call  them  that  were  bidden  to  the  wed- 
ding ;  and  they  would  not  come.  Again  he  sent  forth 
other  servants,  saying,  Tell  them  which  are  bidden, 
Behold  1  have  prepared  my  dinner  :  my  oxen  and  my 
fatliags  are  killed,  and  all  things  are  ready:  come 
unto  the  marriage,"  Matt.  xxii.  2,  4. 

Such  are  the  gracious  invitations  addressed  to  be- 
lievers under  both  dispensations.  "  The  table  is  fur- 
nished." "  The  dinner  is  prepared."  "  The  servants 
are  sent  forth."  The  guests  are  reminded  that  "  all 
things  are  ready."  Thus  both  to  Jews  and  Gentiles 
the  message  has  been  delivered,  and  many  have  wel- 
comed it  with  joy  in  all  ages.  The  Psalmist  gladly 
accepted  the  invitations  of  salvation.  And  every  faith- 
ful Israelite,  and  every  genuine  Christian,  finds,  with 
David,  that  these  invitations  are  not  empty  words. 
They  can  each  adopt  his  testimony  as  their  own, 
"  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of 
mine  enemies." 

"  Table"  is  a  comprehensive  term,  and  is  used  to 
denote  all  manner  of  provision  which  it  may  be  usual, 
or  needful,  or  desirable,  to  set  thereon.  And  by  this 
expression,  "  Thou  preparest,"  the  Psalmist  would  sig- 
nify the  active  and  gracious  agency  of  God  in  providing 
whatever  is  necessary  for  man's  salvation.  He  himself 
furnishes  that  table,  therefore  the  supplies  are  always 
abundant,  always  suited  to  our  wants,  and  always 
ready  for  our  use  !  Ail  manner  of  blessings  are  set 
before  us  on  that  table.  Xot  one  particular  kind,  but 
every  species  of  spiritual  provision  is  here  presented  to 
our  enpyment.     As   invited  guests  we  bring  nothing 


THE    TABLF.    PREPARED.  159 

With  us  but  a  humble  sense  of  our  own  utter  un- 
worthincss,  and  a  grateful  sense  of  his  marvellous 
loving-kindness.  Nothing  remains  but  that  each  guest 
sit  down  to  partake  ;  "  Tkou  preparest  a  table  before 
me." 

How  amazing  is  the  goodness  and  condescension  of 
God  in  thus  himself  becoming  the  provider  for  his 
people!  Vast  and  unnumbered  as  they  are,  there  is 
not  one  amongst  them  all  whose  circumstances  he 
ever  overlooks,  or  for  whose  wants  he  does  not  suit- 
ably provide  !  It  is  the  Lord  of  hosts  himself  who 
makes  ••  unto  all  people  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a  feast 
of  wines  on  the  lees,  of  fat  things  full  of  marrow,  ol 
wines  on  the  lees  well  refined,"  Isa.  xxv.  6.  Never 
then  let  the  believer  lose  Bight  of  this  important  fact, 
that  for  every  blessing  which  he  enjoys  in  time,  or 
shall  enjoy  in  eternity,  he  i-;  solely  indebted  to  the 
grace,  and  the  generosity,  and  i hi-  forethought,  of  his 
heavenly  Father.  All  God's  mercies  are  prepared 
mercies.  The  "Lord  has  prepared  of  his  goodness  for 
the  poor,"  Psa.  Ixviii.  10.  "  Eye  hath  not  seen,  car 
hath  not  heard,  neither  hath  the  heart  of  man  con- 
ceived,  the  good  things  which  (iod  hath  prepared  for 
them  thai  love  him,"  I  Cor.  ii.  '.».  ••!!<•  hath  prepared 
for  them  a  city."  Heb.  xi.  16.  The  blessed  Saviour  is 
gone  before  "  to  prepare  a  place "  therein  for  each  of 
them,  John  xiv.  2.  Ere  long  he  will  return  again, 
ami  exalt  his  people  to  "inherit  the  kingdom  prepared 
for  them  from  the  foundation  of  the  world."'  Matt 
xxv.  3 1. 

\t  God's  prepared  table  the  richest  variety  of  spirit- 
ual provision  is  to  be  enjoyed.  Every  blessing,  Buited 
to  every  state  and  taste,  is  here  spread  before  us! 
Pardon  and  peace — wisdom    and   strength  —life  and 


160  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

health — holiness  and  truth — consolation  and  sympa 
thy— righteousness  and  redemption — love  and  joy — 
patience  and  meekness — brotherly  kindness  and  hu- 
mility— faith,  and  hope,  and  charity!  So  perfectly 
and  completely  has  the  Lord  furnished  his  table,  that 
there  is  nothing  wanting.  The  mind  of  the  Apostle 
was  so  filled  with  gratitude  at  the  contemplation  of  it, 
that  he  exclaims,  "  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  ol 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all 
spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ," 
Eph.  i.  3. 

The  blessings  of  salvation  are  all  most  freely  and 
abundantly  provided.  They  are  fully  prepared  by  God, 
and  are  ready  for  the  use  of  every  penitent  sinner.  It 
19  a  full  pardon.  It  is  a  full  peace.  It  is  a  full  recon- 
ciliation, which  is  provided  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  The 
sinner  requires  not  to  make  these  blessings  more  meet 
for  his  enjoyment.  He  is  called  to  partake  of  salva- 
tion, as  a  guest  is  invited  to  partake  of  the  hospitality 
of  his  friend.  The  words  of  the  heavenly  message  are 
most  explicit.  "  I  have  prepared  my  dinner  ;  ray  oxen 
and  my  fallings  are  killed ;  and  all  things  are  ready  : 
come  unto  the  marriage."  The  self-righteous  prepa- 
rations of  man  are  thus  wholly  set  aside.  Boasting  is 
excluded.  No  man  can  say  that  he  has  rendered  any 
aid — that  he  has  contributed  any  portion — that  he  has 
paid  any  price — or  that  he  possesses  any  claim  on  the 
bounties  of  Heaven.  On  the  contrary,  salvation  is 
altogether  bestowed  by  free  and  sovereign  grace. 
<:  Herein  the  kindness  and  the  love  of  God  our  Saviour 
towards  man  appeared,  not  by  works  of  righteousness 
which  we  have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he 
paved  us,  by  the  Washing  of  regeneration,  and  renew- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  he  shed  on  us  abun- 


THE    TABLE    PREPARED.  1G1 

dantly  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour,"  Titus  hi.  5. 
The  Lord  Jesus  has  already  tiled.  Pardon  has  been 
already  procured.  The  Holy  Ghost  is  already  given. 
The  Scriptures  are  already  published.  The  table  of 
grace  i-  already  prepared,  and  the  very  vilest  of  sin- 
ners is  freely  invited  to  partake.  "  1I<».  every  one  that 
thirsteth,  ionic  _\  e  to  the  waters,  and  In-  thai  hath  no 
money,  conic  ye,  buy  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy  wine 
and  milk  without  money  and  without  price.  \\  here- 
fore  do  ye  spend  money  for  that  which  is  not  bread  .' 
and  your  labour  for  that  which  satisfieth  not  .'  Heark- 
en diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that  which  is  good  : 
and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in  fatness."  Isa.  h-.  L,  2. 
The  poor  and  the  maimed,  the  halt  and  the  blind,  are 
invited  to  com.-  from  the  lanes,  the  highways,  and  the 
hedges,  and  to  sit  down  at  the  marriage  supper  of  the 
King's  Son,  Luke  xiv.  21,  ~2. 

Blessed  be  God,  this  banquet  is  not  reserved  to  a 
future  period.      This  table  is  not  set  in  a  distant  place. 

Ii  is  prepared  "before"  u-.     '-Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I 

bring  near  my  righteousness,  it  shall  not  be  tar  oil'; 
and  my  salvation  shall  not  tarry."  Isa.  ^  I \  i .  L3.  "  He- 
boid, I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock."  saith  the  blessed 
Saviour.     "If  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the 

door  ;  I  will  come  in  to  him  and  -up  w  lib  him,  and  be 
with  me."  Rev.  iii.  20.  Tins  prepared  table,  laden 
with  all  the  blessings  of  salvation,  i-  placed  before  us 
in  a  spiritual  manner.  We  heboid  it  with  the  eye  of 
faith.  We  draw  near  to  it  with  our  thoughts.  We 
partake  of  it  in  our  hearts.  The  believer  has  a  pres- 
ent enjoyment  of  it  "  He  has  meat  to  eat  which  the 
world  knows  not  of."  lie  "tastes  that  God  is  gra- 
cious.1 "  His  1 1 ied ;iat ion  of  him  is  sweet "  to  his  soul, 
and  "he  is  glad  in  the  Lord,*'  Psa.  civ.  31.  lie  can 
14* 


162  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

truly  say  with  his  Saviour,  "Man  shall  not  live  by 
bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of 
the  mouth  of  God." 

Communion  with  the  Saviour  of  his  soul  is  the 
nourishment  of  the  Christian's  spiritual  strength.  He 
loves  to  draw  near  to  the  prepared  table.  He  longs  to 
see  the  King  in  his  beauty.  He  "  covets  earnestly"  to 
be  admitted  to  his  presence.  And  often  he  is  enabled 
to  say,  "  The  King  hath  brought  me  into  his  cham- 
bers."— "  Yea,  he  hath  brought  me  into  the  banqueting 
house,  and  his  banner  over  me  is  love,"  Cant.  i.  4  ;  ii.  4. 
Oil  how  the  soul  of  the  believer  is  strengthened  by  in- 
tercourse with  God  !  He  feeds  at  the  table  which  God 
has  prepared  for  him,  and  is  refreshed  and  gladdened. 
As  truly  as  the  traveller  is  sustained  by  the  food  he 
eats  while  prosecuting  a  toilsome  journey,  so  the  child 
of  God  is  invigorated  to  persevere  in  his  heavenly 
course  by  partaking  of  spiritual  blessings.  Faint  and 
languid  as  he  may  have  felt  only  a  little  while  before, 
he  is  now  revived  with  energy  and  strength.  He  pur- 
sues his  onward  career  with  vigour  and  alacrity:  and 
is  sensitively  convinced  that  a  living  virtue  from  on 
high  lias  been  imparted  to  his  soul.  He  knows  it  from 
its  effects.  Whereas  he  was  blind,  he  now  sees. 
Whereas  he  was  weak,  he  is  now  strong.  He  discerns 
the  snares  and  the  temptations  of  Satan,  where  he  had 
not  suspected  they  could  lie  concealed.  He  casts  aside 
the  besetting  sin,  which  before  he  knew  not  how  he 
could  be  able  to  put  away.  And  he  denies  himself, 
and  takes  up  his  cross  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  some 
painful  duty,  which  he  had  felt  inclined  rather  to  avoid. 
Thus  the  soul  of  the  believer  by  partaking  of  that 
spiritual  t:\ble  which  the  Lord  has  graciously  prepared 


THE    TABLE    PREPARED.  1G3 

is  fortified  against  the  assaults  of  spiritual  enemies, 
and  strengthened  for  the  service  of  in-  God. 

This  table  may  be  said  to  have  been  prepared  before 
the  believing  Israelites  in  each  of  their  divinely  ap- 
pointed ordinances.  At  the  feasl  of  the  Passover,  and 
at  the  other  beautiful  and  significant  festivals  of  his 
holy  religion,  the  heart  of  David  must  have  exceed- 
ingly rejoiced  to  meet  with  God.  '•  In  all  places  where 
I  record  my  name,"  said  the  Lord,  (and  surely  the  Bame 
may  be  said  of  every  service  he  has  instituted.)  "  1  will 
come  unto  thee  and  I  will  bless  thee,"  Exbd.  xx.  24. 
David  had  no  doubt  often  experienced  the  fulfilment 
of  this  promise.  The  remembrance  of  it  caused  him 
to  exclaim,  ■•  O  God,  thou  art  my  God;  early  will  I 
seek  thee:  my  soul  thirsteth  for  thee,  my  flesh  longeth 
for  thee,  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  where  no  water  is; 
in  -i  e  thy  power  and  thy  glory,  so  as  1  have  seen  thee 
in  the  sanctuary,"  Pea.  lxiii.  1,  i. 

In  the  exercise  of  social  and  secret  prayer,  it  may 
l»r  likewise  said  that  a  table  of  spiritual  refreshment 
is  prepared  by  God  for  his  people.  Here  each  believer 
may  at  all  times  draw  near  to  God,  and  receive  nour- 
ishment for  his  soul  in  its  hungerings  and  iliir-tiiiL's 
after  righteousness.  The  Psalmist  was  ;i  frequenl 
partaker  at  this  table.  ''Seven  times  a  day  do  I  praise 
thee."  "My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow 
and  fatness:  and  my  mouth  shall  praise  thee  with 
joyful  lips;  when  1  remember  thee  upon  my  bed.  and 
meditate  on  thee  in  the  nighl  watches."  Thus  both 
in  public  and  in  private  the  believing  Israelites  bad 
free  access  to  a  spiritual  table,  which  God  had  prepared 

before    them.      [f  they  rejoiced  because  the  Lor. I  dealt 

bo  bountifully  with  them,  how  much  more  Bhould  the 

Christian  appreciate  the  high  privileges  to  which  he  is 


164  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

called  !  The  gospel  feast  is  now  spread  out  before  us. 
God  has  given  us  a  royal  table.  The  blessings  it  pre- 
sents, no  human  language  can  describe.  One  word 
comprehends  them  all !     Salvation!     "Salvation 

IS  PREPARED  BEFORE  THE  FACE  OF  ALL  PEOPLE  !" 

Salvation  !  The  full  remission  of  all  our  sins— com- 
plete and  everlasting  freedom  from  condemnation — 
eternal  victory  over  Satan,  sin,  and  hell !  Salvation  ! 
an  answer  to  our  long  offered  prayers — the  gratification 
of  our  holiest  desires — and  more  than  a  fulfilment  of 
our  highest  hopes  !  Salvation  !  deliverance  in  soul  and 
body  from  all  pain  and  sorrow,  sickness  and  death — ■ 
emancipation  from  all  doubts  and  fears,  and  inward 
anxieties — rescue  from  every  enemy— rest  from  every 
trouble — and  entire  sanctification  of  our  whole  nature  ! 
Salvation  !  admittance  to  our  heavenly  home — union 
for  ever  and  ever  with  Christ  our  Lord — and  complete 
fruition  of  that  glorious  God  in  whose  presence  is  ful- 
ness of  joy,  and  at  whose  right  hand  there  are  plea- 
sures for  evermore  ! 

The  Lord  Jesus  did  himself  "  prepare  a  table  before 
his  disciples,"  to  which  the  Christian  may  be  permitted 
to  apply  the  words  of  the  Psalmist  in  a  sense  which 
they  did  not  originally  bear.  To  carnal  eyes,  indeed, 
it  appears  but  a  table  of  bread  and  wine  :  yet  to  the 
spiritual  eye  it  is  a  table  of  the  "  heavenly  food  of  the 
most  precious  body  and  blood  of  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ."  With  the  tenderest  love  he  prepared  that  table 
on  the  "same  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed."  He- 
took  the  bread  as  an  emblem  of  his  broken  body,  and 
the  cup  as  an  emblem  of  his  shed  blood,  and  in  giving 
them  to  his  disciples  to  eat  and  to  drink,  he  said,  "  Do 
this  in  remembrance  of  me  !"  No  wonder,  then,  thai 
the  Christian  regards  it  as  a  high  privilege  to  be  ad 


THE    TABLE    PREPARED.  1G5 

mitted  to  the  table  of  his  Lord.  lie  longs  for  frequent 
opportunities  to  "show  forth  his  death  until  he  come 
again.1'  He  delights  to  testify  his  affectionate  and 
grateful  remembrance  of  his  departed  Saviour.  And 
he  faithfully  receives  these  "creatures  of  bread  and 
wine''  as  indubitable  "  pledges  of  his  Redeemers  love  :" 
for  as  certainly  as  lie  tastes  these  perishing  elements, 
so  surely  does  he  believe  that  Jesus  bled  and  died  for 
his  salvation  !  Thus  he  spiritually  "  discerns  the  Lord's 
body."  He  "  feeds  on  him  in  his  heart  by  faith  with 
thanksgiving;"  and  he  rejoices  in  Christ  alone  as  the 
"  food  and  sustenance  of  his  soul  in  that  holy  sacra- 
ment." The  true  believer  is  at  all  times  his  Saviour's 
welcome  guest,  and  especially  at  the  sacramental  sup- 
per. There  he  enjoys  the  fellowship  of  his  Lord,  and 
from  inward  experience  can  say  with  the  Apostle, 
"The  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the  com- 
munion of  the  blood  of  Christ  ?  The  bread  which  we 
break,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Christ?" 
1  Cor.  x.  16. 

The  Psalmist  declared  that  his  Lord  had  prepared 
the  table  before  him  "  in  the  presence  of  his  enemies." 
This  was  a  special  cause  of  gratitude.  David  had 
many  enemies.  Their  envy  and  malevolence,  were 
bent  continually  to  effect  his  downfal.  Besides  these 
personal  and  human  enemies,  David  knew  that  he 
was  surrounded  by  spiritual  foes  who  sought  his  ever- 
lasting ruin.  Unspeakable  therefore  was  his  consola- 
tion, to  know  that  their  designs  against  him  were 
altogether  ineffectual.  The  safety  and  sustenance 
which  he  enjoyed,  both  of  soul  and  body,  the  Psalmist 
attributed  entirely  to  his  Almighty  Friend.  He  cheer- 
fully acknowledged  t  lat  he  was  indebted  for  every 
mercy  and  for  ever)-  deliverance,  to  the  overruling 


166  THE    TABS,?)    PREPARED. 

providence  of  his  God.  And  great  must  have  been  the 
joy  with  which  he  perceived  that  neither  the  power 
nor  the  presence  of  his  enemies  could  prevent  the 
Lord  from  preparing  a  table  before  him,  or  exclude 
himself  from  its  enjoyment. 

All  the  children  of  God,  in  their  measure,  have 
similar  experience.  They  are  all  surrounded  by  ene- 
mies ;  but  their  Lord  provides  for  them  :  yea,  and 
"places  them  on  high  above  their  foes."  "With  his 
favour  does  he  compass  them  about  as  with  a  shield." 
He  spreads  a  table  before  them  even  "  in  the  wilder- 
ness." Satan  beholds  that  spiritual  feast.  He  cannot 
partake  of  it  himself,  and  he  seeks  to  hinder  them  that 
would.  But  neither  his  powerful  assaults,  nor  his 
malignant  purposes,  nor  his  subtile  contrivances,  can 
deprive  the  believer  of  that  refreshing  and  invigorating 
provision  of  which  he  ever  finds  an  inexhaustible  store 
in  Christ  Jesus.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  ever  near  to  him. 
The  promises  are  ever  open  to  him.  No  power  in 
earth,  or  in  hell,  can  hinder  his  enjoyment  of  the 
ordinances  of  prayer  and  praise.  In  the  most  wonder- 
ful manner  does  the  Lord  show  himself  strong  on  be- 
half of  them  that  love  him.  "Where  there  is  often 
least  appearance  of  immediate  succour,  there  the  Lord 
makes  bare  his  arm.  The  deadly  purposes  of  Hainan 
were  all  but  accomplished  against  the  devoted  Jews. 
The  man  whom  he  most  abhorred,  seemed  about  to 
fall  as  a  prey  into  his  hands.  But  lo !  in  the  wonderful 
providence  of  God  a  table  was  prepared  for  his  favoured 
people  in  the  presence  of  their  enemies.  The  Jews 
had  joy  and  gladness :  and  Mordecai  received  the 
honours  which  Hainan  had  intended  for  himself! 

Whether,  then,  the  Christian  be  surrounded  by 
human,  or  satanic  foes,  the  Lord  is  oii  his  side.     A 


THE    TABLE    PREPARE!  167 

table  is  prepared  before  him,  in  the  presence  of  his 
envious  and  disappointed  enemies.  Even  Satan,  and 
all  his  host,  shall  behold  the  favour  and  exaltation 
bestowed  on  him  who  is  an  u  Israelite  indeed."  Neither 
their  malice,  nor  his  own  unworthiness,  shall  he  the 
measure  of  the  Lord's  gracious  dealings  with  him. 
Of  his  own  goodness  and  mercy  Jehovah  shall  prepare 
a  table  before  him,  where  every  want  of  his  soul  shall 
be  amply  satisfied  through  time  and  through  eternity. 
If  the  heavenly  King  delight  to  honour  any  of  the 
sons  of  men,  who  is  that  proud  Hainan  that  would 
dare  to  deny,  or  who  is  that  humble  Mordecai  that 
would  presume  to  decline  ! 

The  time  is  at  hand  when  a  table  shall  be  prepared, 
around  which  all  the  family  of  God  shall  meet,  and 
from  which  they  shall  never  be  withdrawn.  ••  Many 
shall  come  from  the  east  and  west,  and  shall  >it  down 
with  Abraham  and  [saac  and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,"  Matt.  viii.  11.  "With  the  prospect  of  admis- 
sion to  this  table,  our  Lord  cheered  die  hearts  of  his 
Apostles,  saying,  "  Ye  shall  eat  and  drink  at  my  table 
in  my  kingdom,"  Luke  xxii.  oil.  And  again,  as  a 
warnim_r  to  those  who  rejected  his  doctrine,  and  op- 
posed themselves  to  Ins  ministry,  be  solemnly  declared, 
"There  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  when 
ye  shall  see  Abraham  and  (saac  and  Jacob,  and  all  the 
Prophets,  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  yon  yourselves 
thrust  out.  And  they  shall  come  from  the  east  and 
from  the  west,  and  from  the  north  and  from  the  south, 
and  shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God,''  Luke 
xiii.  20. 

This  table  prepared  for  eternity,  shall  never  be  the 
object  of  Bcorn.  Even  the  enemies  who  behold  it, 
shall  earnestly  wish  to  be  partakers  of  its  blessings! 


168  THE    TABLE    PREPARED. 

Oh  unavailing  wish  !  They  kno\v;  they  feel,  that  it 
never  can  be  fulfilled.  They  now  believe  that  the 
joys  of  religion  are  substantial  and  great.  Visionary 
and  deceitful  as  they  once  regarded  the  people  of  the 
Lord,  they  are  now  convinced  of  their  sincerity,  and 
feel  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  they  alone  were 
truly  wise.  They  behold  the  happiness  of  the  re- 
deemed :  and  awfully  indeed  must  it  aggravate  their 
misery  to  see  the  once  despised  saints  welcomed  as  eter- 
nal guests  at  the  prepared  table,  while  they  them- 
selves are  irrecoverably  shut  out ! 

Oh,  what  joy  and  gladness  shall  then  animate  the 
hearts  of  the  redeemed  !  Every  doubt  of  their  accept- 
ance is  for  ever  fled.  They  see  that  they  are  now 
within  the  everlasting  mansion.  They  perceive  that 
He  who  went  before  has  indeed  prepared  a  place  therein 
for  each  of  them.  They  feel  that  they  are  graciously 
welcomed  at  the  table  which  he  has  prepared  before 
them  with  all  manner  of  spiritual  and  heavenly  pro- 
vision. They  behold  the  King  in  his  beauty.  They 
hear  the  music  of  attendant  angels.  They  meet  with 
the  faithful  of  all  ages  and  of  all  countries.  And  they 
"  sit  down  with  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven."  Surely  the  ransomed  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  assembled  in  Zion  "  with  songs  and  ever- 
lasting joy  upon  their  heads  :  they  shall  obtain  joy  and 
gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away," 
Isa.  xxxv.  10. 


THE  HEAD   ANOINTED. 


\  erse  5. — Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil. 

Having  spoken  of  the  gracious  reception  with  which 
he  was  welcomed  at  the  royal  table,  the  Psalmist  pro- 
ceeds, in  the  remainder  of  this  verse,  to  give  a  si 
description  of  the  honours  conferred  upon  him.  and  of 
the  abundance  provided  for  his  enjoyment,  by  his  Royal 
Host.  These  he  represents  by  two  most  lively  simili- 
tude--, borrowed  from  the  customs  of  the  oriental  nal 

'When  entertainments  are  given  al  the  houses  of  the 
rich  or  noble,  it  is  customary  to  use  a  profusion  of 
costly  perfumes.  No  price  is  spared  to  procure  the 
mosl  pur.-  and  fragrant  oils.  Balsams,  and  a  variety 
of  odoriferous  substances  are  mingled  with  the  oil  :  and 
it  is  the  privileged  office  of  the  principal  domesti 
anoint  the  head  of  each  invited  guest.  Should  the 
master  of  the  house  himself  perform  this  ceremony  on 
any  favoured  individual,  ii  is  considered  one  of  the 
highest  marks  of  esteem  and  honour  which  he  can  be- 
stow. It  is  usual  not  only  to  anoint  the  person  of  the 
beloved  guest,  but  also  to  put  into  his  hands  a  cup  of 
the  choicest  wine,  filled  to  the  brim  and  flowing  over. 
"  I  once."  writes  a  traveller,  ••  had  this  ceremony  per- 
formed on  myself  in  the  house  of  a  great  and  rich 
Indian,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  company.  The 
gentleman  of  the  house  poured  upon  my  head,  my 

15 


170  THE    HEAD    ANOINTED. 

hands,  and  arms,  a  delightful,  odoriferous,  perfume. 
He  then  put  a  golden  cup  into  my  hands,  and  poured 
wine  into  it,  till  it  ran  over ;  assuring  me  at  the  same 
time,  that  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  him  to  receive  me, 
and  that  I  should  find  a  rich  supply  in  his  house." — 
Memoirs  of  Capt.  James  Wilson. 

Such  are  the  customs  of  oriental  hospitality  by  which 
the  Psalmist  illustrates,  in  a  most  instructive  and  sig- 
nificant manner,  the  distinguished  honour,  and  the 
abundant  supply,  which  his  soul  was  enjoying  as  an 
invited  guest  at  the  heavenly  banquet.  No  angelic 
servant  was  deputed  to  perform  this  service,  but  the 
King  himself  condescended  to  anoint  him.  i;  Thou 
anointest  my  head  with  oil." 

The  practice  here  alluded  to,  prevailed  long  before 
the  days  of  David.  We  know  that  it  still  exists  in 
eastern  countries,  and  that  it  was  a  common  custom  in 
the  time  of  our  Saviour.  When  our  blessed  Lord  came 
as  an  invited  guest  to  the  house  of  Simon,  the  omis- 
sion of  this  tribute  of  respect,  furnished  a  striking  con- 
trast between  the  self-righteous  pharisee  and  the 
despised  penitent.  Simon  himself,  and  all  who  heard 
jlie  Saviour's  words,  must  have  felt,  if  they  did  not 
acknowledge,  the  justness  of  the  rebuke  which  they 
contained.  ':  My  head  with  oil  thou  didst  not  anoint ; 
but  this  woman  hath  anointed  my  feet  with  ointment," 
Luke  vii.  46.  The  honour  here  so  ungraciously  with- 
held by  his  host  from  our  blessed  Lord,  had  been  con- 
ferred on  David  by  the  master  of  a  feast.  It  is  not 
improbable  that  Saul  may  have  shown  him  thks  mark 
of  his  royal  favour,  when,  amidst  the  national  rejoic- 
ings, the  son  of  Jesse  publicly  appeared  as  the  conqueror 
of  Goliath,  and  the  chief  guest  at  the  King's  banquet. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  the  wcrds  of  this  Psalm  teach  us 


THE    HEAD    ANOINTED.  171 

that  Davit,  lived  La  a  constant  recognition  of  the  un- 
seen God  ;  and  sought  to  derive  from  every  circum- 
stance in  life,  some  spiritual  and  eternal  lesson.  His 
head  on  some  occasion  had  heen  anointed  with  oil  by 
a  friendly  host:  but  his  heart  was  elevated  above 
earthly  honours.  He  viewed  them  only  as  types  of 
heavenly  favour ;  and  his  whole  soul  most  earnestly 
desired  the  "honour  which  comcth  from  God  only.'1! 
John  v.  I  I.  Amid  the  plaudits  of  the  populace,  the 
praises  of  courtiers,  and  the  smiles  of  royalty,  David 
remembered  that  he  owed  all  his  elevation  and  pros- 
perity to  the  blessing  of  the  Lord.  He  took  not  the 
merit  to  himself.  He  did  not  attribute  it  to  any  mere 
human  instrumentality.  He  looked  upward  with  an 
enlightened  and  devout  heart,  and  as  it  were  declared, 
'•  These  honours  are  all  thy  iritis,  my  heavenly  King; 
Tuor  anointest  my  head  with  oil." 

These  words,  however,  have  a  far  higher  meaning', 
than  merely  to  attribute  earthly  honours  to  their 
proper  source.  The  Psalmist  uses  them  in  a  spiritual 
respect.  Under  the  emblem  of  a  ••  table  prepared 
before  him,"  he  had  just  described  thai  nearness  of 

Communion  With  bis  Lord,  tO  which  he  had  been  ad- 
mitted, and  that  fulness  of  blessings  of  which  he  was 
there  a  joyful  partaker.  And  imw  he  advances  an- 
other step.  He  carries  forward  the  emblem,  and  illus- 
trates lb,-  jo\  and  the  honour  of  haying  tin-  Holy  Spirii 
shed  forth  from  God  upon  his  soul,  by  that  joy  and 
honour  which  the  master  of  a  feast  confers  upon  a  fa- 
voured guest,  whose  head  he  condescends  to  anoint 
With  his    .wn  hand. 

David  had  already  enlarged  on  his  security  and 
blessedness  as  a  believer,  under  the  beautiful  simili- 
tude of  a  sheep  with  its  shepherd.     He  now  contem- 


172  THE    HEAD    ANOINTED. 

plates,  by  this  new  figure,  the  honour  tc  which  as  a 
believer  he  was  exalted.  He  gives  utterance  to  an 
advanced  state  of  his  experience.  His  faith  is  strong. 
He  enters  deeply  into  God's  mind  and  purposes,  and 
he  rises  from  the  feeling  of  his  being  simply  a  restored 
sheep,  to  that  of  his  being  an  invited  guest ;  from  the 
consciousness  of  being  only  a  servant,  to  that  of  his 
being  a  friend  of  God ;  from  the  conviction  that 
"  shame  and  everlasting  contempt"  were  the  only  por- 
tion he  deserved,  to  the  conviction  thai  honour  and 
everlasting  glory  were  the  portion  which  God  was 
graciously  pleased  to  bestow. 

It  is  just  between  these  two  states  of  feeling  that 
the  believer  is  to  be  continually  upheld.  He  is  safe 
and  strong  when  they  are  equally  present  to  his  mind. 
They  are  as  necessary  to  him  on  either  side  as  were 
Hur  and  Aaron  to  the  weak  but  interceding  Closes. 
On  the  left  hand  is  the  conviction  of  his  own  unwor- 
thiness,  stirring  him  up  to  greater  earnestness.  On 
the  right  hand  is  the  persuasion  of  God's  rich  and 
sovereign  mercy,  animating  his  soul  to  ';  come  boldly 
unto  the  throne  of  grace."  The  believer  who  does  not 
habitually  cultivate  self-abhorrence  and  humility  will 
soon  relax  his  importunity  in  prayer ;  and  he  who 
perceives  not  that  <;  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God 
resteth  upon  him"  will  soon  "eel  his  heart  dejected, 
and  his  hands  cast  down.  The  Psalmist  posse 
both  these  feelings.  He  trembled  under  a  sense  of  the 
weakness  and  depravity  of  his  own  nature  ;  and  he 
rejoiced  in  the  freeness  and  fulness  of  Divine  grace. 
And  when  he  here  says,  "Thou  anointest  my  head 
with  oil,"  he  is  to  be  understood  as  expressing  these 
Iwo  sentiments.  lie  was  astonished  at  the  conde- 
scension of  the  King  of  heaven  to  one  so  unworthy  as 


THE    HEAD    ANOINTED.  17S 

himself;  but  still  he  -would  not  allow  his  sense  of  mi- 
worthiness  to  tempi  Uim  to  doubt,  much  less  to  deny, 
the  fact  of  that  condescension,  or  to  deprive  him  of 
the  joy  and  the  honour  it  was  intended  to  bestow.    If 
the  God  of  our  salvation  be  pleased  to  set  his  love  upon 
;•  1  to  honour  us  with  his  Holy  Spirit,  why  should 
we  presume  to  decline  his  gifts  because  we  are  im- 
worthy  of  them?     To  him  alone  our  real  unworthi- 
ness  is  fully  known.     And  do  we  wish  that  he  should 
deal  with  us  only  according  to  the  measure  of  our  de- 
serts .  .  rather  let  our  unworthiness  both  magni- 
fy the  riches  of  his  grace,  and  stir  up  our  own  hearts 
to  more  earnest  prayer  for  his  Holy  Spirit!    David  had 
often  prayed  for  the  Spirit  of  grace,  and  he  was  now 
enioying  the  inward  witness  of  that  Spirit  in  his  heart 
He  humbly  received  the  gift  of  the  Spirit  as  a  mark 
of  heavenly  favour,  as  a  token  of  everlasting  honour, 
bestowed  immediately  by  God  himself;  therefore  he 
delighted  to  acknowledge  it  in  language  appropriate 
of  a  banquet,  which  he  represents  him- 
Tiiou  ariointest  my  head  with  oil." 
:thlehem  is  the  true  David.     I  lis  single 
arm  has  slain  that  great  adversary  who  defied  all  the 
Rrmi(  living  God.     In  honour  of  him  as  the 
victorious  Conqueror,  the   heavenly  banquet  is   pre- 
'  by  God  the  Father.     Jesus  is  the  favoured  and 
■.     ( m  his  head  alone  the  anointing  oil 
ured  by  the  Master  of  the  feast.     "Thou  I 
right              i,  and  hatest  wickedness:  therefore 

tod,  hath  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  i  I 
above  thy  fellows.     All  thy  garments  smell  of  myrrh, 
and  aloes,  and  cassia,  out  of  the  ivory  palao 
ny  they  have  made  thee  glad,"  Psa.  riv.  7.     "('Od 
anointed  Jesus  of  Nazareth  with  the   Hcly  (ihost," 
l.V 


174  THE    HEAD    ANOINTED. 

Acts  x.  38.  He  therefore  is  the  honoured  guest  at  the 
court  of  heaven.  In  the  gospel  we  read  that  the  King 
"  made  the  marriage  supper  for  his  son."  Our  invita- 
tion comes  only  in  and  through  that  Son.  ^Ve  are 
accepted  there,  not  in  our  own  name,  but  as  his 
"  friends,"  John  xv.  13.  Seated,  as  it  were,  on  his 
Father's  right  hand,  he  regards  all  the  redeemed  as 
his  own,  and  his  Father's  guests,  and  thus  graciously 
addresses  them :  "  Eat.  O  friends ;  drink,  yea,  drink 
abundantly,  O  beloved,"  Cant.  v.  1.  As  a  token  of 
the  love  that  he  entertains  for  them,  and  of  the  hon- 
our he  bestows  upon  them,  he  causes  them  to  be 
anointed  with  the  same  pure  and  fragrant  oil  which 
had  been  poured  upon  his  own  head.  Nay,  he  con- 
descends to  perforin  this  office  for  them  himself.  He 
it  is  who  spiritually  anoints  the  head  of  each  of  his 
invited  guests.  "  He  which  hath  anointed  us  is  God," 
says  St.  Paul,  2  Cor.  i.  21.  "  Ye  have  an  unction 
from  the  Holy  One,"  saith  the  beloved  disciple,  1  John 
ii.  20.  This  unction  from  on  high  is  a  manifest  proof 
to  all  Christians,  that  the  Master  whom  they  serve  is 
accepted,  and  honoured,  and  exalted  at  the  right  hand 
of  the  Majesty  on  high.  "  This  Jesus,"  say  they, 
"hath  God  raised  up,  whereof  we  all  are  witnesses. 
Therefore  being  by  the  right  hand  of  God  exalted, 
and  having  received  of  the  Father  the  promise  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  he  hath  shed  forth  this  which  ye  now 
see  and  hear,"  Acts  ii.  33 ;  and  thus  the  believing 
Christian  is  enabled  to  appropriate  the  language  of 
the  believing  Israelite  in  its  highest  sense,  and  to  say 
with  a  grateful  heart,  "  Thou  anointest  mv  head  with 
oil." 

Oil  is  one  of  those  material  substances  which  were 
employed  by  Divine  command  in  the  religions  services 


THE     HEAD    ANOINTED.  175 

of  ancient  Israel.  It  is  a  most  comprehensive  and 
significant  emblem  of  the  presence  and  the  powers  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  church  of  God.  Oil  penetrates, 
Boftens,  heals,  strengthens,  and  preserves:  and  also 
according  to  the  mode,  and  the  object  of  its  application, 
it  will  gladden,  consecrate,  adorn,  render  fragrant,  and 
illuminate.  In  all  these  various  and  important  proper- 
ties it  represents  to  us  the  power--,  and  offices,  the 
and  graces,  of  the.  Holy  Spirit.  Oil  forms  also  an 
essential  part  of  the  animal  economy.  It  is  necessary 
to  the  life,  the  strength,  and  the  beauty,  of  all  living 
substances.  The  Spirit  of  God,  in  like  manner,  is  in- 
dispensable to  the  life  and  vigour,  the  holiness  and 
happiness,  of  every  believing  soul.  By  some  persons, 
oil  is  regarded  as  an  efficacious  antidote  against  poison; 
and  in  this  respect  also  it  would  form  a  most  appro- 
priate emblem  of  that  sacred  Person  in  the  Holy 
Trinity,  whose,  quickening  and  sanctifying  energy, 
alone  counteracts  the  deadening  and  destructive  influ- 
ences of  sin. 

Under  the  Old  Testament  every  vessel  used  in  the 
service  of  God,  and  every  priest  occupied  therein,  was 
anointed  with  oil.  Exod.  chaps,  xxix.  and  xxx.  The 
High  Priest  was  solemnly  consecrated  by  pouring 
upon  his  head  the  "  most  holy  anointing  oil.*'  Kings, 
also,  and  prophets  were,  appointed  to  the;r  respective 
offices  in  the  same  manner.  He  who  gave  the  Spirit 
enjoined  the  use  of  the  emblem.  The  living  Spirit 
"  proceedctlr  from  the  Eternal  Father.  He  bestowed 
the  Holy  Ghost  on  his  beloved  Son;  and  by  Him, 
from  the  Father,  the  Divine  Spirit  is  poured  upon  the 
church. 

The  great  High  Priest  of  the  New  Testament  was 
not  anointed  with  material  oil.     He  was  consecrated 


176  THE    HEAD    ANOINTED. 

to  his  supreme  office  by  the  most  holy  anointing  Spirit. 
Visibly  as  the  oil  was  poured  on  the  head  of  Aaron  at 
his  consecration,  so  did  the  Spirit  of  God  descend  upon 
the  head  of  Jesus  at  his  baptism.  Then  and  there  he 
was  anointed  to  be  the  only  Prophet,  the  only  Priest, 
and  the  only  King  of  his  church.  Our  blessed  Saviour 
could  thus  fully  claim  the  titles  of  "toe  Messiah," 
and  "  the  Christ."  John  i.  41.  These  two  names 
respectively  testify  to  the  Hebrews  and  to  the  Greeks, 
that  Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  "the  anointed."  The 
Master  is  called  "  Christ"  because  he  is  the  anointed 
one:  and  ail  his  true  disciples,  after  him,  are  rightly 
denominated  "  Christians?  because  they  arc  anointed 
ones.  The  oil  of  spiritual  anointing  which  was  poured 
on  him,  descends  also  upon  them.  He  is  the  anointed 
Head  of  the  mystical  body,  and  they  are  the  anointed 
members.  The  Spirit  of  God  abundantly  poured  upon 
our  great  High  Priest,  was  "like  the  precious  ointment 
upon  the  head,  that  ran  down  upon  the  beard,  even 
Aaron's  beard,  that  went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his 
garments,"  Psa.  cxxxiii.  2. 

Who  would  not  wish  to  be  a  partaker  of  this  spirit- 
ual anointing?  All  unworthy  as  we  are,  the  Holy 
Ghost  will  be  freely  and  fully  bestowed  in  answer  to 
prayer.  The  argument  of  our  adorable  Redeemer  is 
well  fitted  to  encourage  the  most  timid  of  his  disciples. 
"If  ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly 
Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him?*' 
Luke  xi.  13.  This  gracious  Spirit  will  confer  glad- 
ness and  honour  upon  every  lowly  supplicant.  ru- 
fold  and  inestimable  are  the  blessings  which  he  be- 
stows. The  anointing  Spirit,  like  oil,  p  ss  the 
inmost  soul,  softens  cur  hard  hearts,  heals  our  spiritual 


THK    IIKAD    ANOINTED.  177 

wounds,  illuminates  our  darkened  understandings,  and 
strengthens  and  preserves  our  godly  resolutions.     He 
consecrates  believers  for  God's  service,  fills  them  with 
joy,  adorns  them  with  holiness,  and  renders  the. 
it  we  ant   with    the   odours  of  right 

The  sweet  and  precious  ointments  used  in  eastern 
entertainments  graced  the  person  of  the  guest,  and 
rendered  his  presence  agreeable  to  all.  The  Spirit  of 
God  bestows  a  moral  fragrance  upon  the  soul  of  the 

.  and  makes  him  acceptable  to  thi 
The   name  of  Christ  "is  as  ointment  pom 
and  the  name  of  Christian  is  as  a  drop  of  that  oint- 

.  slight  in  his 

hoUls  them  anointed  with  those  spirit!!. 

•noli  the  "chief  spices"  are  em 
IV,   14.     Tl    ".'  are  then  comely  and  without   0 

re  him.  Their  meekness  and  purity,  their  love 
and  obedience,  render  them  "dear  children"  in  his 
eight     <  >very  professing  Christian  were  thus 

lovely  and  pleasant  before  Cod!     Oh,  thai  everj 
could  say    with   Paul,   -We  arc  unto  God  a 
savour  of  Christ!"  2  Cor.  ii.  15.     May  the  anointing 
Spirit  he  poured  more  largely  upon  every  mem!  er  of 
the  Church,  that  we  may  b(  I  the 

I  mental   table,   and   at  the 

inly  and  eternal  banquet ! 
ambitious,    O   Christian,   of  the   honour   that 

•;h  from  God  only.  Diligently  and  daily  Btrive  to 
live  i  minted   person.     God  has  called   us  unto 

hi-;  kingdom  and  glory;  and  we  exhort  and  charge 
every  one  of  you,  ,  as  a  lather  doth 

his  children,  that  ye  would  walk  worthy  of  him  who 

eatly  dignifies  you,  1  These,  ii.  12.     Oh, 
then  tor  glory  and  honour  and  immortality,  by  patient 


178  THE    HEAD   ANOINTED. 

continuance  in  well-doing  !  Rom.  ii.  7.  "Glory,  hon- 
our, and  peace,"  shall  be  conferred  upon  thee,  with 
"  eternal  life."  Let,  then,  "  thy  garments  be  always 
white,  and  let  thy  head  lack  no  ointment,"  Eccl.  ix.  8. 
Remember  that  "  if  any  man  have  not"'  this  anointing 
by  "  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his."  "  As 
many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the 
sons  of  God."  Thy  Lord  and  Master  walked  in  the 
Spirit.  He  loved  righteousness,  and  hated  wickedness. 
Therefore  God,  even  his  own  God,  anointed  him  with 
the  oil  of  gladness.  This  also  shall  be  thy  portion. 
"  If  any  man  serve  me,"  says  the  Saviour,  "  him  will 
my  Father  honour,"  John  xii.  26.  Present  thyself 
therefore  unto  God  in  the  daily  "living  sacrifice"  of 
obedience,  Rom.  xii.  1.  It  is  a  "reasonable  service" 
on  thy  part.  It  is  holy  and  acceptable  before  thy 
Lord.  The  offering  up  of  the  Gentiles  is  acceptable, 
being  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  Rom.  xv.  16. 
God  would  exalt  thee.  Let  not  the  world  keep  thee 
back  from  honour.  Great,  indeed,  O  believer,  is  the 
honour  of  being  called  to  bear  the  Christian  name  ! 
As  Jesus  was  anointed  "above  his  fellows,"  so  the 
faithful  Christian  is  honoured  of  God  above  all  his 
fellow-men.  "  The  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  resteth 
upon  him,"  1  Pet.  iv.  14. 

O  Christian,  thou  art  an  anointed  man  :  an  anointed 
woman  !  God  himself  has  anointed  thee  with  the  most 
holy  oil.  Thou  art  not  only  accepted,  as  a  guest  at 
the  prepared  table,  thou  art  also  honoured  with  a  royal 
priesthood,  1  Pet.  ii.  9.  He  has  made  thee  a  King  and 
a  Priest  unto  God  and  his  Father,  Rev.  i.  6.  Thy 
Lord  has  set  thee  apart,  and  honoured  thee  above  every 
human  being  who  has  not  the  Spirit.  Thou  art  a 
consecrated  creature  !     O  live  continually  as  such  in 


TIIE    HEAD    ANOINTED.  179 

toy  ana  holiness.  Christ  is  coming  "to  be  g  ormed  in 
his  saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  ail  them  that  believe," 
2  Thess.  i.  10.  Is  he  now  "glorified7'  by  thy  c 
tian  conduct?  Is  he  now  "admired"  in  thy  christian 
character?  God  grant  that  thou  mayest  be  "found 
unto  praise  and  honour  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of 
Jesus  Christ,"  1  Pet.  i.  7, — that  at  the  heavenly  banquet 
the  Spirit  of  everlasting  honour,  and  of  endless  happi- 
ness, may  be  poured  upon  thee  by  the  Master  of  the 
feast,  and  that  thou  mayest  have  reason  to  testify  with 
the  Psalmist,  "  Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil." 


THE    CUP   OVERFLOWING. 


Verse  5. — My  cup  runneth  over. 

The  Psalmist  still  represents  himself  as  enjoying  the 
hospitality  of  his  Royal  Friend.  A  table  had  been 
prepared  before  him  in  the  presence  of  his  enemies. 
His  head  had  been  anointed  by  the  Master  of  the  feast. 
And  now  he  informs  us  of  "the  cup  which  he  put  into 
his  hands,  filled  to  the  brim  and  flowing  over."  David 
had  not  only  been  received  with  honour,  but  he  was 
also  entertained  with  the  utmost  hospitality  at  the 
royal  banquet.     "My  cup  runneth  over." 

The    term  "cup''  is  used  in  a  figurative    sense  in 
various   passages   of  Scripture.     In   the  language  of 
common  life  we  are  accustomed  to  speak  of  "  a  cup 
of  joy,"  and  of  "a  cup  of  sorrow.''     These  figurative 
terms  denote  the  circumstances  in  which  any  individ- 
ual is  placed,  whether  of  weal  or  of  woe.  of  prosperity 
or  of  adversity.     When  David  testifies  that  the  v.  i 
shall  receive  grievous  punishments  at  the  hand  of  God, 
he  says,  "This  shall  be  the  portion  of  their  cup:'5 
xi.  6.     And  again,  when  he  would  describe  the  I 
edness  of  his  own  condition,  he  exclaims,  "  The  Lord 
is    tie  portion  of  mine  inheritance  and  of  my  cup," 
Psa.  xvi.  5.     So,  likewise,  in  this  text,  when  he  affirms, 
"my  cup  runneth  over'— he  uses  a  term  in  harmony 
with  the  figure  of  a  banquet  which  he  had  before  em- 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING.  181 

ployed,  and  denotes  by  it  that  the  provision  which  God 
had  made  for  him,  and  the  portion  which  God  had 
j;ied  to  him,  was  abundant  and  overflow] 

By  tln>  familiar  i  a   "cup  running  over"  he 

presents  to  our  minds,  in  few  words,  a  lively  picture  of 
Ibat  large  and  gerierou  on  which 

kings  has  made  for  his  guests,     ft  is  not  a  measured 
quantity,  but  an  unmeasured  and  overflowing  fub 
which   the  Lord  supplies.     The  brief  but  <■ 
language  of  the  Psalmist  may  be  considered  in  a  two- 
fold r<  erring  to  an  abundance  both  of  temporal 
mercies  and  of  spiritual  blessings.     The  whole  senti- 
ment will  thus  be  applicable  to  the  two-fold  nature  of 
the  believer,  bo  that  he  is  enabled  with  all  the  e 
of  truth   to  declare,  both  as  to  his  body  and  as  to  his 
soul,  ••  My  cup  runneth  ov 

In  the  first  place,  then,  we  may  consider  this  ex- 
pression as  indicating  the  enjoyment  by  the  Psalmist, 
of  an  abundance  of  temporal  mercies.  God  is  not 
only  the  Creator,  but  the  Preserver  and  the  Benefactor 
of  the  universe.  All  creatures  derive  from  him  I 
being,  and  all  depend  on  him  for  that  sustenance  which 
is  necessar)  to  maintain  it.  Prom  the  bighest  seraph 
thai  surrounds  tin-  throne  of  glory,  to  the  meanest  rep- 
■  upon  the  surface  of  our  globe,  all  live 
the  bounty  of  (lie  Most  High.     That  bounty  Is, 

giveth   to  all  life, 
and  breath,  and  all  things,"  Acts  \\  ii.  25.     "  The  i 
of  all  wait  upon  him.  and  he  giveth  them  their   I 
in  due  season.     He  openeth  his  hand,  and  satisfietb 
the  desire  of  every  Living  thing,"  Psa.  cxlv.  16. 

( So  forth,  < »  man  !    Survey  the  works  of  the  Almighty 
I  Innumerable  worlds  surround  thee     thyself 

a  world  !     The  same  Lord  that  watches  over  thee,  ex- 
it i 


183  THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 

tends  his  care  equally  to  them.  He  who  supplies  thy 
wants,  supplies  the  wants  of  angels.  With  all  the  plan- 
ets in  their  course,  the  fixed  stars  in  their  position — near 
or  remote  to  thee, — thy  God  is  present !  The  earth  and 
air,  the  sea  and  sky,  display  alike  his  eternal  power  and 
Godhead,  his  beneficence  and  love  !  Where  teem  not 
the  living  creatures?  Who  can  count  up  their  num- 
bers ?  Is  there  but  one  fish  in  the  sea — one  beast  alone 
in  the  forest — a  single  bird  in  the  air — one  solitary  in- 
sect on  the  ground  ?  Say,  has  each  creature  but  one 
want,  and  one  sensation — one  only  mode  of  happiness 
— and  one  only  kind  of  provision  1  Nay  rather,  are 
not  their  wants  and  feelings,  their  desires  and  appe- 
tites, as  varied  and  innumerable  as  are  the  modes  of 
their  enjoyment,  and  the  kinds  of  nourishment  which 
God  has  provided  for  them  ?  Throughout  the  uni- 
verse, the  supply  from  the  Creator  more  than  equals 
the  demand  of  the  creature.  Who  will  presume  to 
affirm,  that  the  blessings  of  God  are  dealt  out  with 
such  a  sparing  hand  that  He  could  not  have  given 
less  ?  On  the  contrary,  are  we  not,  from  the  universal 
testimony  of  nature,  constrained  to  say,  "  O  Lord,  how 
manifold  are  thy  works !  In  wisdom  hast  thou  made 
them  all.  The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches.  So  is  this 
great  and  wide  sea,  wherein  are  things  creeping  innu- 
merable, both  small  and  great  beasts.  These  wait  all 
upon  thee,  that  thou  mayest  give  them  their  meat  in 
due  season.  That  thou  givest  them,  they  gather. 
Thou  openest  thine  hand  ;  they  are  filled  with  good,'' 
Psa.  civ.  24. 

God  distributes  to  all  his  creatures  according  to  their 
several  capacities  of  enjoyment.  The  capacity  of  each 
individual  may  be  called  his  "  cup,"  according  to  the 
measure  of  which  he  is  dealt  with  in  the  great  feast 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING.  183 

of  life.  The  capacity  of  any  vessel  is  determined  by 
the  quantity  it  can  contain  without  injury  to  itself,  or 
loss  to  its  content--.  It  is  a  great  point  of  wisdom  for 
every  man  to  ascertain  his  own  capacity  of  enjoyment ! 
To  none  is  this  fully  known,  save  only  to  Him  out  of 
whose  fulness  our  supply  is  to  be  obtained.  It  i-  n  ■ 
pessary  to  our  happiness  to  know  that  God  wisely  deals 
with  each  of  us  according  to  our  measure.  How  va- 
ried are  the  capacities  of  men  !  One  sustains  no  injury 
from  that  which  almost  destroys  another !  The  station 
and  education  of  each  individual,  the  peculiarity  of 
his  natural  disposition,  and- of  his  mental  temperament, 
qualify  one  man  to  overcome  some  kinds  of  temptation 
which  ensnare  others;  and  to  derive  benefit  from  some 
sources  of  enjoyment,  which  prove  only  injurious  to 
his  fellows.  Yet  these  very  peculiarities  of  position 
and  character  often  render  their  possessor  more  liable 
to  fall  where  others  stand  ;  and  to  sutler  misery  where 
they  enjoy  happiness  ! 

The  capacity,  then,  of  his  people  to  sustain  without 
injury  or  toss,  is  the  measure  by  which  the  Lord  deals 
foxih  his  blessings.  Like  a  wise  master  he  gives  to 
eveiy  servant  according  to  his  ability.  Like  an  intel- 
ligent  teacher,   he   proportions   his   instructions   to  the 

progress  and  capacity  of  his  pupil-.  Such  is  the  gene- 
ral rule  of  ( lod's  universal  providence.  The  exceptions 
to  it,  indeed,  are  many  and  remarkable,  which  our 
own  restless  discontent  and  insatiable  ambition  have 
xcasioned.  Instead  of  cherishing  a  thankful  satis- 
faction with  their  allotted  portion,  there  are  many  who 
look  with  envy  upon  the  Larger  provision  of  others,  and 
will  not  be  persuaded  that  the  things.theyso  earnestly 

covet  might  prove  destructive  to  their  happiness.  How 
many  oper.  to  themselves  fertile  sources  of  misery,  by 


THE    CUF    OVERFLOWING. 

grasping  after  things  which  they  can  neither  uso  n«>* 
enjoy  !  How  often  do  we  see  the  sudden  acquisition 
of  wealth  bring  nothing  but  moral  ruin  in  its  train ! 
Evil  propensities  break  forth,  which  had  before  lain 
dormant :  and  the  active  habits  and  useful  occupations 
of  life  are  exchanged  for  sloth  and  luxury  and  pride. 
On  the  other  hand,  how  often  do  we  behold  the  loss  ol 
property  accompanied  by  moral  gain  !  The  indolent 
man  becomes  active,  and  the  prodigal  prudent.  Vir- 
tues shine  forth  like  stars  in  the  darkness  of  night, 
which  had  not  appeared  in  the  sunshine  of  prospei 
Equanimity  and  patience,  integrity  and  self-denial, 
wisdom  and  perseverance,  transform  the  useless,  into  a 
useful,  member  of  society,  and  render  him  an  honour- 
able example  to  the  world  ! 

The  Lord  alone  knows  what  is  best  for  us  in  this 
present  life.  And  if  every  Christian  would  cheerfully 
consider  his  own  capacity,  he  w*ould  find  cause  to  ac- 
knowledge that  his  heavenly  Father  deals  mosl  liber- 
ally with  him.  He  who  possesses  a  contented  spirit, 
w'iil  always  find  that  there  is  enough  within  his  reach, 
to  cheer  and  to  gladden  his  path  through  life.  The 
true  secret  of  human  happiness  is  known  only  by  him, 
whom  divine  grace  has  taught  to  "  be  content  with 
such  things  as  he  has.''  The  majority  of  mankind 
are  miserable,  simply  because  the}*  set  their  hearts  on 
the  possession  of  that  which  they  have  not !  Yet  we 
may  safely  assert  that  within  the  range  of  every  sta- 
tion in  society,  and  of  every  individual  in  each  station. 
there  exists  a  full  supply  of  the  gifts  of  God.  And 
wen-  these  gifts  thankfully  received  and  right!)'  used, 
they  would  furnish  an  abundant  measure  of  pure  and 
reasonable  happiness. 

Men  too  often  imagine  their  own  capacities  to  be 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING.  185 

greater  than  they  arc     They  flatter  themselves  that 
they  ran  Bafely  contain,  and  without  detriment  ei 
all  that  God  may  bestow.     Looking  'hrough  a  false 
medium,  their  cup  is  magnified  in  their  own  eye-,  and 
though  there  should  be  poured  into  it  the  richest 
of  God,  they  would  still  complain  that  it  did  not  run 
over !     Measuring  themselves  by  themselves,  and  c 
paring  t!  i   themselves,  th<  ; 

wis  ••  2  I  'or.  \.  12.     The  "wisdom  that  is  from  ab 
teaches  the  believer  to 

himself;"  and  instructs  him   to  take  a  true  vie 
own  limited  capacity.     He  learns  to  count 
smallest  mercies  great:  and  by  receiving  all  the  boun 
i  God  in  the  littleness  of  his  own  cup.  he  always 
finds  that  he  h  caust   to  praise  him  for  itsover- 

jlow.     A   false  view  of  our  own  merits  and  capacities, 
i         us  to  form  a  wrong  estimate  of  the  Lord's  provi- 
dential allotments.  It  creates  dis  latisfaction  with  them. 
lievingly   measure   his  goodness  by  our  own 
But  when  the  a  qvi  il  has 

tested  its  own  capacity  by  the  standard  of  God's  word: 
and  h  rtained  that  its  deservings  at  his  hand  are. 

only  ■  ruin  and  confusion;  then  it  readily 

and  variety  of  the    i . 
unmerited   tnsicios — "  1    am   a  sinner,  and   have  no 
claim  ■   tor  tLe  smallest  token  of  bis  favour.     1 

am  a  weak  creative — I  can  do  nothing  !     1  am  a  vain 
ar  nothing!     All  the  dealings  of  my 
God  are  mercy,  unmeasured  mercy!     The  least  drop 
of  his  !-  my  utmost  merits  !     But 

for  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  ;e  in  Christ  J 

1  should  abuse  to  my  own  hurt  the  most  u  teful  of  hi:' 
innumerable  gifts.     His  Divine    teaching,    howevw 
enables  me  to  regard  even  the  mosc  trying  affli 

16* 


186  THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 

as  mercies  in  disguise.  I  am  altogether  at  God's  dis- 
posal ;  and.  without  injustice,  he  might  consign  me 
at  once  to  everlasting  ruin.  '  Why  then  should  a  liv- 
ing man  complain,  a  man  for  the  punishment  of  his 
sins  V  That  I  am  still  alive,  and  not  sunk  in  perdi- 
tion, is  a  mercy  which  I  owe  entirely  to  his  goodness, 
and  not  to  my  own  merits  !  Oh  yes,  every  hour  I 
Live,  every  breath  I  draw,  the  food  I  eat,  the  raiment  I 
wear,  my  rest  by  night,  my  peace  by  day,  the  sun- 
shine I  behold,  the  friends  I  enjoy,  all  proclaim  to  my 
soul  the  abundant  goodness  of  my  God,  and  constrain 
me  to  say  with  David,  "  My  cup  runneth  over  !' " 

If  the  goodness  of  God  be  thus  conspicuous  in  the 
natural  world,  how  much  more  evident  is  it  in  the 
spiritual  ?  Every  believer  in  Christ  Jesus  who  reflects 
on  the  value  of  his  soul,  and  the  magnitude  of  the 
gospel  salvation,  may  confidently  assert,  ';  My  cup  run- 
neth over."  In  the  great  Redeemer  there  is  given  to 
him  a  cup  overflowing  with  spiritual  blessings.  "  In 
Him  are  freely  given  unto  us  all  things  that  pertain 
unto  life  and  godliness,"  2  Pet.  i.  3.  Therefore  the 
Apostle  St.  Paul  exclaims,  ':  Blessed  be  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  119 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places 
in  Christ,"  Eph.  i.  3.  Well  then  may  every  true 
Christian  declare,  "  My  cup  runneth  over." — "  In 
Christ  is  contained  an  abundant  supply  for  every  pos- 
sible want  of  my  immortal  soul !  From  him  flow 
strength  for  my  weakness : — health  for  my  sickness  : 
— wisdom  for  my  ignorance : — forgiveness  for  my 
guilt : — and  peace  and  consolation  for  my  every  sor- 
row !  Yea,  whatever  be  my  want,  '  my  God  shall 
supply  all  my  need  according  to  his  riches  in  glory  by 
Christ  Jesus  !'  " 


TUP.    CXTP    OVERFLOWING.  187 

The  cup  of  Christian  privilege  is  full,  indeed,  and 
overflowing!  In  secret  prayer,  in  Scripture  study,  in 
public  worship,  the  believer  drinks  of  a  cup  that  ovcr- 
flowa  with  grace  and  goodness.  He  meditates  often 
on  the  richness  and  vastness  of  the  Divine  beneficence 
towards  him.  He  endeavours  to  calculate  the  num- 
ber and  the  magnitude  of  the  blessings  which  the 
Lord  has  showered  upon  him.  He  trembles  lest  he 
should  be  guilty  of  overlooking  even  the  smallesl 
amongst  them.  AYhile  other  men  are  recounting  their 
miseries,  the  humble  believer  is  rehearsing  his  mer- 
cies !  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all 
his  benefits  :  who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities.;  who 
healeth  all  thy  diseases;  who  redeemeth  thy  life  from 
destruction  ;  who  crowneth  thee  with  loving-kindness 
and  tender  mercies;  who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with 
good  things,  so  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the 
eagle's,"  1'sa.  ciii.  2 — 5.  At  die  review  of  all  that 
God  hasdone  for  him.  his  heart  i-  filled  with  gratitude, 
;ind  he  exclaim-.  ••  What  shall  1  render  unto  the  Lord, 
for  all  his  benefits  towards  me?  I  will  take  the  cup 
of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
He  presents  himself  therefore  with  delight  among  the 
invited  guests  at  the  spiritual  banquet  of  hi<  heavenly 
Host.  \t  the  table  of  the  Lord,  in  a  particular  and 
gracious  manner,  '-the  cup  of  blessing''  is  put  into  his 
hand,  and  he  drinks  thereof  to  the  satisfying  of  his 
soul.  It  is.  indeed,  to  him  "  the  communion  of  the 
blood  of  Christ.''  He  partakes  of  the  pardon,  and  he 
enjoys  tin-  peace,  of  which  it  is  the  outward  and  visi- 
ble sign.  That  i\\y  \-  a  pledge  of  love  between  the 
gracious  Hosl  and  his  grateful  guest  !  The  wine  of 
salvation  cheers  the  heart  of  the  believer.  The  vari- 
ous graces  of  his  spiritual  life  are  quickened.     Faith 


188  THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 

is  strengthened.  Love  is  increased.  Hope  is  revived. 
Holiness  is  deepened.  Joy  breaks  for  Ji.  And  grati- 
tude abounds.  He  blesses  the  Lord  for  the  soui-re- 
freshing  draught,  and  exclaims,  "My  cup  runneth 
over  !"' 

Let  the  Christian,  then,  ever  -remember  that  it  is 
neither  bis  own  capacity,  nor  his  own  deserts,  that 
constitute  his  cup.  It  is  out  of  the  fulness  of  our  Em- 
manuel that  "all  we  receive,  and  grace  for  grace," 
John  i.  16.  The  Son  of  God  in  our  nature  is  the 
overflowing  cup,  which  He,  who  furnishes  the  feast, 
puts  into  the  hand  of  every  invited  and  honoured 
guest.  "It  pleased  the  Father  that  in  Him  should  all 
fulness  dwell,''  Col.  i.  19.  In  ourselves  we  have 
nothing;  but  in  Christ  Jesus  we  have  a  full  sulfa- 
tion— as  much  grace  as  we  can  need  in  time,  and  as 
much  glory  as  we  can  enjoy  throughout  eternity  ! 
"All  things,"  says  the  Apostle,  "are  yours.  Whether 
Paul,  or  .A  polios,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or 
death,  or  tilings  present,  or  things  to  come;  all  are 
yours;  and  ye  are  Christ's;  and  Christ  is  God's,"  I 
Cor.  iii.  22,  23. 

O  what  an  overflowing  cup  is  this  !  "  All  things 
are  ours  in  Christ!"  And  "in  him  dwclleth  all  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily!  And  in  him  we  are 
complete!"  Col.  ii.  9.  Rejoice,  then,  O  anointed  be- 
liever !  The  grace  provided  for  thee  in  thy  .Saviour  is 
unmeasurable  and  inexhaustible.  Drink  ever  freely 
of  thy  overflowing  cup.  All  things  are  thine.  God 
the  Father  is  thy  Father.  God  the  Son  is  thy  Bro- 
ther. God  the  Holy  Ghost  is  thy  Comforter.  The 
angels  are  thy  attendants.  The  redeemed  are  th) 
companions.     And   heaven    is    thy  home !     O  drlnl 


Tin:  .1  p  n\  i.ki  w  u  i.\(..  ]&9 

continually  of  thy  overflowing  pup;  and  taste  every 
ppiritual  blessing  it  contains ! 

►tliiate  on  the  <_rrr.-ii  and  glorious  Jehovah—three 
Per  son  .  and  one  essence     spiritual,  invisible,  and  eler« 

-dwelling  in  light  which  no  man  can  approach 
unto,  but  which  thou  shall  behold!  Meditate  on  the 
perfect  nature,  and  the  glorious  majesty,  of  thy  Al- 
mighty Father,  who  filleth  heaven  and  earth  with  his 
presence!  His  holiness  underived,  unsullied,  and  in- 
:  lis  wisdom  unsearchable  and  omniscient. 
Hia  power  unlimited  and  irresistible.  His  truth  un- 
erring. His  faithfulness  unfailing.  His  justice  im- 
partial. J  lis  goodness  universal.  His  Long-suffering 
unwearied.  His  mercy  everlasting.  His  love  un- 
equaUed  in  its  tenderness,  and  surpassing  knowledge 
in  its  greatness  :  al  once  disinterested  and  undeserved  ! 
Oh  think  on  this  All-Perfect  and  Eternal  Kin-,  who 
sitteth  on  the  throne  of  th.-  universe  !     Think  of  him 

:v    Creator,    thy  Preserver,   thy  Benefactor,   thy 
Friend,  thy  Father ! — Think  how  thou  bast  free 

lo  him.  and  full  acceptance  with  him,  at  all  times, 
and  in  all  conditions--  thai  every  hour,  and  every  mo- 
ment, Ins  providence  is  engaged  in  determini 
taining,  and  dispensing  all  things,  and  for  all  ci         I 
beings,  in  heaven  and  in  e  iat  even  I 

I  mysterious  steps  of  that  providence 
ordered  in  wisdom,  truth,  and  love;    preserving  thy 

i,  directing  thy  paths,  providing  thy  merci  ■ 
ruling  and  overruling  all  events  for  thy  good!—  tad 
consider  thai  His  favour  is  tJiy  life,  thy  shield,  and  thy 
consolation,  by  night,  by  day  asleep,  awake,  al 
on  shore,  in  all  places,  al  all  times,  and  under  all  cir> 
cum  I  in  days  of  prosperity,  in  periods  of  per- 

secution, in   seasons  of  joyful  intercourse  with  thy 


190  THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 

fellow  Christians,  and  of  spiritual  conflict  with  the 
great  adversary  of  thy  soul !  Oh  think  on  thy  Father 
in  heaven, — on  the  love  of  his  heart,  and  on  the  works 
of  his  hands,  towards  thee,  and  wilt  thou  not  say, 
"  My  cup  runneth  over  ?" 

Meditate  on  God  the  Son  condescending  for  thy  sal- 
vation to  become  thy  Brother — bone  of  thy  bone,  flesh 
of  thy  flesh, — like  unto  thee  in  all  things,  sin  only  ex- 
cepted— an  infant,  a  child,  a  youth,  increasing  in  wis- 
dom and  stature — a  man,  poor  and  houseless,  hun- 
gering and  thirsting,  weeping  and  weary,  resting  and 
sleeping,  tempted  and  afflicted,  despised  and  buileted, 
bleeding  and  dying,  buried  and  rising  again  from  the 
dead : — and  all  this  for  thy  benefit !  Think  of  his 
perfect  example,  so  holy  and  humble,  so  meek  and  pa- 
tient, so  prayerful  and  charitable,  so  guileless  and  com- 
passionate, so  sympathetic  and  forgiving  : — and  all  this 
for  thy  instruction  !  Meditate  on  the  various  offices  he 
discharges  for  thy  salvation.  Think  of  him  as  thy 
Prophet,  teaching  and  enlightening  th)r  soul — as  thy 
Priest,  atoning  for  thy  sins,  redeeming  thy  person, 
sympathising  with  thy  sorrows,  and  interceding  for  thy 
shortcomings — as  thy  King,  reigning  over  thee  in  love, 
and  invested  with  all  power  in  heaven  and  on  earth  ; 
as  hereafter  to  appear  upon  his  glorious  throne,  and 
reign  in  universal  righteousness.  Meditate  on  his  tin- 
fading  beauty,  his  surpassing  glory ;  and  say,  O  be- 
liever, is  He  not  precious?  the  chief  among  ten  thou- 
sand, and  altogether  lovely?  O  think  of  God  the  Son 
as  thy  Deliverer,  thy  Redeemer,  thy  Friend,  thy 
Brother;  and  wilt  thou  not  say,  "My  cup  runneth 
over  V 

Meditate  on  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  cometh  trom 
the  Father  and  the  Son  to  dwell  in  thee  as  his  temple  ! 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING.  191 

Is  he  not  the  Lord  Jehovah,  the  omniscient,  omnip- 
otent, and  omnipresent  -Spirit?  Is  he  not  the  Author 
of  the  new  birth,  the  Giver  of  spiritual  life,  theUuick- 
ener  of  the  dead,  \he  Sustainer  of  the  living,  the 
Teacher  of  the  ignorant,  the  Baptizer  of  the  elect,  and 
the  Intercessor  in  the  saints?  Is  he  not  called  the 
Spirit  of  Life  and  Love,  of  Truth  and  Judgment,  of 
Prophecy  and  Promise,  of  Wisdom  and  Revelation,  of 
Counsel  and  Might,  of  Faith  and  Holiness,  of  Grace 
and  of  Supplications,  of  Glory  and  of  God  )  Is  he  not 
the  "  Free"  Spirit  who  upholds  thee  ? — the  ';  Good" 
Spirit  who  leads  thee  ? — and  the  "  Holy"'  Spirit  who 
sanctities  thee  ?  Is  he  not  the  Searcher  of  thy  heart  ? 
— the  Helper  of  thine  infirmities? — and  the  Reprover 
of  thy  fault-  ?  Is  he  not  thy  Guide  into  all  truth  ? — 
the  Earnest  of  thine  inheritance  ?  and  the  Seal  of  thy 
redemption  ?  Oh  think  of  thy  promised  Comforter, 
the  Spirit  of  Adoption,  by  whom  thou  criest,  Abba, 
Father  !  Meditate  on  his  indwelling  presence.  Iih  gra- 
cious unction,  his  enlightening  counsels,  his  constrain- 
ing love,  his  quickening  power,  his  sanctifying  graces, 
his  reviving  consolations,  his  sustaining  peace,  his  en- 
livening joy,  his  witness-bearing  with  thy  spirit  that 
thou  art  a  child  of  ( lod  !  ( >h  think  of  this  life-giving, 
ItfeHsustaining,  and  "Eternal"  Spirit,  who  "dwelleth 
with  thee  and  shall  be  in  thee  :  and  wilt  thou  not  say, 
"  My  cup  runneth  over  ?"' 

Oh  think  of  the  Scriptures  of  truth  as  thy  guide 
through  life,  and  thy  light  on  the  path  to  heaven  ! 
Think  how  the  angels  of  God  are  thy  ministering 
spirits,  sent  forth  to  attend  every  step  of  thy  journey  ! 
That  principalities  and  powers  of  darkness  retreat  at 
thy  advance,  and  flee  when  thou  dost  resist  them  I 
That  every  storm  of  trial  that  overtakes  thee,  shall 


192  THE    CUP    0VERFL0WIXG. 

but  waft  thee  onward  to  thy  destined  haven  !  That 
over  tribulation,  and  distress,  and  persecution,  and 
famine,  and  nakedness,  and  peril,  and  sword,  thou  shalt 
be  made  more  than  a  conqueror  !  That  even  death 
itself  cannot  separate  thee  from  thy  God,  but  shall 
usher  thee  into  his  immediate  presence ;  and  wilt  thou 
not  say,  "  My  cup  runneth  over  ?" 

Innumerable,  O  believer,  are  the  blessings  of  which 
thou  art  called  to  partake  at  the  gospel  feast  on  earth, 
and  at  the  everlasting  banquet  in  heaven  !  Thy  hos- 
pitable Lord  presents  to  thee  a  cup  overflowing  with 
all  the  blessings  of  salvation  !  Each  of  them  is  inval- 
uable in  itself,  and  immeasurable  in  its  fulness  !  Learn 
from  one,  how  to  estimate  them  all !  Pardon  of  sin  is 
as  free  as  thy  heart  can  desire,  and  as  complete  as  thy 
mind  can  conceive.  The  Lord  forgiveth  ''iniquity, 
and  transgression,  and  sin,"  that  is,  all  kinds  of  oii'en- 
ccs,  Exod.  xxxiv.  7.  "  I  say  unto  ycu,  All  manner  of 
sin  and  blasphemy  shall  be  forgiven  unto  men,"  Matt. 
xii.  31.  "  And  I  will  cleanse  them  from  all  their  in- 
iquity whereby  they  have  sinned  against  me  ;  and  I 
will  pardon  all  their  iniquities  whereby  they  have  sin- 
ned, and  whereby  they  have  transgressed  against  me," 
Jer.  xxxiii.  8.  "  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth 
from  all  sin,"  1  John  i.  7.  Yea,  the  most  heinous  sins 
God  promises  to  pardon.  "  Come  now,  and  let  us  rea- 
son together,  saith  the  Lord  :  though  your  sins  be  as 
scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow ;  though  they 
be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool,"  Isa.  i.  18. 
The  Lord  is  not  only  ready  to  forgive,  but  willing  to 
forget.  "  For  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteous- 
ness, and  their  sins  and  their  iniquities  I  will  remem- 
ber no  more,"  lleb.  viii.  12.  And  that  they  may  never 
appear  against  thee,  thy  Lord   removes  them  as  far 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING.  193 

away  as  the  east  is  from  the  west.  "  As  far  as  the  east 
is  from  the  west,  bo  far  hath  he  removed  our  trans- 
gressions  from  us,"  Psa.  ciii.  12.  Yea  he  casts  them 
all  into  the  depths  of  the  sea.  t:  He  will  turn  again, 
he  will  have  compassion  upon  us;  he  will  subdue  our 
iniquities;  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the 
depths  of  the  sea,*'  Mic.  vii.  19.  Yea  he  blots  them 
oul  as  a  thick  cloud.  '•!  have  blotted  out,  as  ;i  thick 
cloud,  thy  transgressions,  ami  ;;-•  ;i  cloud  thy  sin-:  re- 
turn unto  me;  for  I  have  redeemed  thee,"  lsa.  \h. 
"I,  even  I,  am  lie  that  blotteth  out  thy  Iran 
f>r  mine  own  sake,  ami  will  nut  remember  thy  sins/' 
lsa.  \liii.  25. 

If  one  ingredient  in  the  cup  of  salvation  he  so  rich 
and  si)  inestimable,  what  shall  we  sa)  of  the  combined 
fulness  and  Bweetnesa  with  which  it  overflows?  The 
mingled  blessings  of  time  and  of  eternity,  of  grace  and 
of  glory,  constitute  that  cup  of  salvation  which  God 
has  given  to  us  in  Christ  It  is  a  royal  gift,  worthy 
of  his  own  munificence  ! 

Who  can  reckon  up  the  mercies  and  the  blessings, 
the  privileges,  the  honours,  and  the  joys,  with  which 
the  glorious  Gospel  overflows?  Here  i-  life  lor  the 
dead,  light  for  the  blind,  deliverance  for  the  captives, 
food  lor  the  hungry,  water  for  the  thirsty,  riches  for 
the  poor,  robes  of  righteousness  for  the  naked,  rest  for 
the  weary,  relief  for  the  oppres  ed,  strength  for  the 
weak,  instruction  for  the  ignorant,  peace  for  the  trou- 
bled, and  consolation  for  the  afflicted!  Here  we  oh- 
tain  conviction  of  .-in.  and  conversion  of  soul :  genuine 
repentance  towards  God.  and  unfeigned  sorrow  for  all 
transgression;  with  power  to  forsake  iniquity,  and  to 
persevere  in  righteousness!  Here  the  conscience  of 
vhe,  sinner  is  filled  with  peace,  and  his  spirit  with  pu- 
17 


194 


Till:    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 


rity  '  He  is  justified  from  the  guilt  he  had  incurred, 
and  sanctified  from  the  pollution  of  his  nature.  He 
obtains  adoption  into  the  family  of  God.  and  recon- 
ciliation with  his  heavenly  Father.  He  partakes  of 
union  and  communion  with  the  Lord  of  life,  and  is 
blessed  with  wisdom  and  knowledge,  with  righteous- 
ness and  truth,  with  obedience  and  resignation,  with 
direction  and  security,  with  help  and  comfort,  with 
patience  and  courage,  with  contentment  and  humility, 
with  gentleness  and  charity,  with  meekness  and  heav- 
enly mindedness  !  Here  his  faith,  and  love,  and  hope, 
and  joy  abound.  "He  tastes  that  God  is  gracious:'' 
and  enjoys  free  access  to  him.  and  full  acceptance  with 
him.  in  the  closet,  at  the  family  altar,  in  social  prayer, 
and  in  public  worship  !  Grace  overflows  his  soul  as 
he  reads  the  sacred  Scriptures,  examines  his  own 
heart,  listens  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  joins  in 
the  melody  oi'  praise,  and  participates  in  the  sacra- 
mental ordinances !  *"" 

Many  also  and  inestimable  are  the  privileges  which 
the  Gospel  confers.  We  are  made  by  it  New  Crea- 
tures. (  hildren  of  God.  Friends  and  Brethren  of  Christ, 
Temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Fellow  Citizens  with  the 
Saints.  Heirs  of  Salvation,  and  Joint  Heirs  with  Christ : 
a  Chosen  Generation,  a  Peculiar  People,  a  Royal  Priest- 
hood, and  more  than  Conquerors  over  sin  and  Satan, 
the  world  and  the  flesh  !  What  shall  we  more  say? 
for  the  time  would  fail  us  to  tell  of  all  the  blessings 
which  are  contained  in  the  cup  of  salvation  !  One 
word  unfolds  them  all.  Redemption  !  Oh.  who 
shall  declare  the  fulness,  the  richness,  the  sweetness, 
of  the  Redemption  Cup  !  Emancipation  from  all 
curse  !  Introduction  to  all  blessing  !  Perfection  of 
our    whole    nature  !       Continual    supplies    of   grace  ! 


THE    CUP    OVERFLOW  IN...  195 

Everlasting  pomciMion  of  glory  !  Resurrection  from 
the  dead  !  V  spiritual  and  immortal  body  !  Life  im- 
perishable! Happiness  inexhaustible  !  And  honours 
unparalleled  !  Kings  and  Priests  unto  God  !  A  king- 
dom in  heaven  !  Palms  of  triumph  !  Harps  of  gold  ! 
Crowns  of  glory!  Enjoyment  of  the  blissful  pros 
of  the  Triune  Jehovah  for  ever  and  for  evermore! 

Drink  then  continually,  <>  anointed  believer,  of  thy 
full  cup  of  salvation  !  'The  Lord  himself  has  prepared 
it.  Thy  heavenly  Host  has  filled  it  for  thee  !  Thou 
art  privileged  to  chink  the  cup  of  the  redeemed  from 
thy  Redeemer's  hands  !  Receive  it  with  the  warmest 
gratitude  !  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad !  Thy 
"cup  runneth  over!"  It  overflows  with  grace  to 
comfort  thee  in  time!  It  shall  overflow  with  glory 
to  gladden    thee    throughout    the   end!  a    of 

eternity  ! 

My  Shepherd  is  the  Lamb, 

The  tiring  Lord,  who  died  ! 
With  all  that's  truly  :;ood,  I  am 

M  i  I  plenteonalj  supplied ! 

1 1     •  la  my  soul 

With  manna  from  above. 
And  leads  me  where  the  rivers  roll 

Of  everlasting  love. 

11     -        -  DM  when  I  >tray  : 

Directs  my  every  path* 
And  when  I  walk  through  death's  dark  way, 

Draws  near  with  rod  and  staff. 

My  table  He  doth  spread 

In  presence  of  my  foes  : 
With  oil  He  doth  anoint  my  head  . 
ip  with  win 

Goodness  and  mereey  wait 
On  all  my  steps  through  life  ■ 


196  THE    CUP    OVERFLOWING. 

They  '11  bear  me  to  the  heavenly  gate, 

And  set  me  free  from  strife. 

Then  I  my  Shepherd's  care 

Shall  praise  ;  my  Host  adore : 
And  in  his  Father's  house  shall  share 

True  bliss  for  evermore  ' 

Ahsk 


THE    CONCLUSION 


GOODNESS   AND   MERCY. 

Verse  G. — Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow 
me  all  the  days  of  my  life. 

By    two  beautiful  and  instructive  metaphors   the 
Psalmist  Ins  exhibited  before  us  the  ■  ■  ce  and  £ood- 
i         [  Jehovah.     The  tenderness  of  his  watchful  care 
has  been  pourtrayed  in  the  character  of  a  Shepherd, 
and  (lie  munificence  of  his  providing  love  has  been  ex- 
emplified in   the   character   of  a  Royal    Host     The 
Psalmist  has  given  us  likewise  a  repn  3entation  of  his 
own  condition,  as  that  of  a  sheep  following  the  footsteps 
of  that  faithful  Shepherd,  enjoying  the  highest  happi- 
n        and    experiencing   the   greatest  safety;  neither 
feeling  any  want,  nor  fearing  any  eviL     And  i 
he  has  described  himself  as  a  highly  welcomed  guest 
al  the  banquet  of  that  heavenly  Friend,  where  a  table 
h  prepared  before  him  even  in  the  presence  of  his 
mies,  where  he  is  distinguished  with  honour  by  the 
•r  of  the  feast,  and  partakes  of  an  overflowing 
abundance  of  the  most  choice  and  delightful  pro\  i 
Having  thus  Bpokenofthe  past  and  the  present,  the 
oisl  turns  to  the  future,  with  joyful  contemplation, 
in  this  concluding  verse  of  his  most  interesting  and 
dm.     He  does  so  in  the  mosl  beautiful, 
appropriate  and  triumphant  manner.     That  watchful 


198  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY 

Shepherd,  that  hospitable  Friend,  he  is  assured  will 
never  leave  him  nor  forsake  him.  He  places,  there- 
fore, the  fullest  confidence  in  his  unchanging  love  ;  and 
in  language  still  harmonizing  with  his  own  poetic 
imagery,  and  referable  to  himself  both  as  a.  sheep  and 
as  a  guest,  he  exclaims,  "  Surely  goodness  and  mercy 
shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life :  and  I  will 
dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever." 

Such  is  the  conclusion  which  the  Psalmist  draws 
from  the  review  of  his  past  history,  and  of  his  present 
experience  !  Such  is  the  animating  hope  for  the  future 
which  the  immutability  of  the  Divine  character,  and 
the  faithfulness  of  the  Divine  promises,  warranted  him 
to  entertain !  We  have  seen  that  David  commenced 
and  continued  this  Psalm  with  strong  expressions  of 
reliance  upon  God.  He  uttered  a  blessed  sentiment  in 
the  very  first  verse,  and  declared,  "  I  shall  not  want." 
And  now  in  the  last  verse  he  rises  from  the  negative 
to  an  affirmative  declaration :  and  with  a  still  more 
blessed  feeling  he  exclaims,  "Surely  goodness  and 
mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life  !"  He 
no  longer  uses  the  figurative  terms  by  which  he  had 
adorned  his  Psalm.  To  our  surprise  and  edification  he 
suddenly  puts  aside  all  emblems  and  metaphors ;  and 
plainly  intimates,  as  it  were,  that  in  all  his  allusions  to 
natural  things,  his  design  was  to  show  forth  the  reality, 
the  abundance,  and  the  preciousness,  of  those  spiritual 
blessings  with  which  God  had  so  graciously  enriched 
him.  He  now  speaks  in  the  common  language  of  men, 
that  we  may  the  more  easily  identify  his  experience 
with  our  own  ;  and  feel  encouraged  to  follow  the  foot- 
steps of  the  good  Shepherd,  to  accept  the  invitations 
of  the  heavenly  King,  and  to  appropriate  to  ourselves 
all  the  blessings  of  the  "great  salvation  !" 


GOODNESS    AND    MERCY.  199 

The  words   of  the  Psalmist   are  expressive  of  the 
s*«  ugest  confidence  ami  certainty.    1 le  -ays, "  Surely." 
No  <loubt  existed  In  bis  mind.     His  eye  was  fixed  en- 
tirely on  the  spontaneous  love  and  the  almighty  power 
of  God.     He  felt  that  it.  would  be  both  gross  presump- 
tion, and  vile  ingratitude,  after  all  he  bad  received,  to 
harbour  a  single  doubt  or  suspicion  of  the  ability  or  the 
willingness  of  Jehovah,  to  supply  all  his  wants  to  the 
latest  moment  of  his  existence.     David  bail  not  lost 
sight  ofhisown  unworthiness.     A  humbling  conscious- 
aess  of  it  was  ever  present  to  his  mind.     Uut  In;  knew 
thai  it  must  have  been  entirely  of  His  own  good  plea- 
sure thai  Jehovah  bad  graciously  condescended  to  be- 
come his  Shepherd  and  his  Friend.     He  felt  that  it  was 
indeed  of  his  own  mere  mercy  and  grace— "for  his 
own  name's  sake,"     (bat   the  Lord  bad  at  all  deigned 
to  bestow  upon  him  a  single  blessing.     And  arguing 
from  the  graciousand  perfecl  nature  of  the  Divine  love 
towards  him,  he  could  not  legitimately  arrive  al  any 
other  conclusion  than  that  which  he  has  here  BO  hap- 
pily expressed.     The  confidence  of  the  Psalmist  was 
placed,  not  in  the  integrity  of  his  own  character,  but  in 
the  unchangeableness  of  his  God.     He  could  not.  and 
he  doe-,  not,  affirm  that  he  himself  shall    never  fail  in 
faith,  nor  falter  in  obedience;  but  be  doe-  avow  his 
conviction  that  tin-  Loving-kindness  of  the  Lord  shall 
never  be  taken  away  from  him.     His  assured  expec- 
tations are   not  directed  to  earthly    grandeur,  or  to 
temporal  happiness,  or  to  his  ultimate  elevation  to  the 
throne  of  Israel.     The  chief  desire  and  strong  confi- 
dence of  his  heart   are   fixed   on  the   attainment  of 
spiritual  happiness,  of  eternal  riches,and  ofaheavenly 
kingdom!     This  was  an  established  principle  in  the 
niind  of  David,  from  the  commencement,  to  the  con- 


200  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

elusion,  of  his  religious  course.  It  was  his  dying 
sentiment.  "  Although  my  house  be  not  so  with  God, 
yet  he  hath  made  with  me  an  everlasting  covenant, 
ordered  in  all  tilings  and  sure.  For  this  is  all  my  sal- 
vation and  all  my  desire,  although  he  make  it"  (that 
isj  my  house )  "  not  to  grow,"  2  Sam.  xxiii.  5.  David 
could  let  go  his  hold  of  temporal  blessings,  but  never 
would  he  relax  his  grasp  of  those  wherein  lay  "  all  his 
salvation  and  all  his  desire  !"  He  trusted  implicitly  to 
a  covenant-keeping  God  for  the  unfailing  supply  of 
those  spiritual  and  eternal  s  which  arc  indis- 

pensable to  the  life  and  the  happiness  of  an  immortal 
being  ! 

The  Psalmist  here  specifies  two  blessing  most  need- 
ful and  appropriate  for  every  sinner,  "goodness  and 
mercy" — Goodness  that  shall  supply  him  when  he  is 
in  want — and  Mercy  that  shall  forgive  him  when  he 
sins : — Goodness  following  to  provide,  and  Mercy  fol- 
lowing to  pardon.  Not  goodness  alone,  nor  mercy 
alone,  but  goodness  and  mercy  in  inseparable  com 
paniomdiip  !  Goodness,  with  its  ample  gifts,  and 
ceaseless  providings,  is  not  enough  for  an  erring  crea- 
ture who  is  daily  contracti  ig  guilt.  And  Mercy,  with 
its  pardons  multiplied,  and  its  Long-forbearing  love,  is 
not  enough  for  a  needy  creature  who  cannot  nourish 
or  sustain  itself.  It  is,  then,  goodness  and  mercy 
united,  in  which  the  Psalmist  rejoices,  and  of  which 
he  here  assures  his  soul.  "Goodness,"  that  is,  the 
bounty,  the  loving-kindness,  the  benevolence  of  Jeho- 
vah, shall  follow  me,  and  shall  supply  all  my  wants! 
And  "mercy,"  that  is.  the  pity  and  compassion,  the 
forbearance  and  the  forgiveness,  of  Jehovah,  shall  also 
follow  me,  and  shall  pardon  all  my  sins  and  short- 
comings ! 


GOODNESS    AND    MERCY-  201 

The  Psalmist  speaks  as  if  he  beheld  two  guardian 
k*£ttb  commissioned  to  attend  his  earthly  pilgrimage. 

l»e  regards  them  as  handmaidens  from  heaven,  wait- 
ing upon  his  soul  continually.  The,  name  of  the  one 
Iness,  and  the  name  of  the  other  is  Mercy.  In 
all  the  windings  of  the  narrow  way,  whether  ascend- 
ing the.  highest  mountains,  or  descending  the  deepest 
valleys, — whether  passing  through  the  slough  of  des- 

•  new  or  toiling  over  the  rock-  of  difficulty,  these 
faithful  messengers  of  God  shall  attend  his  steps. 
They  shall  accompany  him  not  oniy  in  the  pie 
sunshine,  but  also  through  the  Louring  storm.  They 
are  the  servants  of  the  good  Shepherd.  They  faith- 
fully follow  every  sheep  of  His  flock,  as  it  follows  the 

tepS  of  their  Blaster.  And  not  more  surely  does 
every  true  member  of  that  flock  desire  to  follow  the 
heavenly  Shepherd,  net  only  for  a  day,  or  a  month, 
or  a  _\ear.  hut  throughout  his  whole  existence 
surely  shall  Goodness  and  Mercy  follow  him  with  con- 
stant ministrations  of  love  to  his  latest  moment. 
They  shall  follow  me,  says  the  Psalmist,  -all  the 
days  of  my  life."— ""  These  two  attendants  on  either 
side  shall  cheer  my  spirit,  and  invigorate  my  heart,  as 
1  journey  to  my  heavenly  home:  the  one  shall  pro- 
cure me  a  full  supply  for  all  my  necessities;  and  the 
other  shall  assure  me  of  a  full  forgiveness  for  all  my 


sin 


^ '"' 


IJut  the  desponding  Christian  ma;  How  can 

1  appropriate  such  happiness  to  myself?  Surely  this 
is  too  much  for  any  man  to  say,  in  this  chequered 
scene  ;it  least  forme/  Musi  !  not  encounter  labours 
and  troubles,  Losses  and  bereavements,  sicknesses  and 
death?  How,  then,  can  1  affirm  that  goodness  and 
v  .-hall  follow  me/"     Yes,  ()   helie\er,  -roodnesa 


202  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

and  mercy  shall  follow  thee  through  all  these  vicissi- 
tudes !  The  Psalmist  himself  did  not  assert  that  he 
should  be  exempted  from  such  sorrows.  Oh  no !  His 
faith  is  not  fanaticism.  He  keeps  all  these  afflictions 
steadily  in  view,  as  "  not  joyous,  but  grievous"  parts  of 
his  appointed  pilgrimage ;  but  still  he  believes  that 
goodness  and  mercy  from  the  Lord  shall  assuredly 
follow  him.  Is  there  no  kindness  in  the  heart  of  the 
physician  when  he  prescribes  a  bitter  medicine  for  thy 
cure  1  Is  there  no  mercy  in  the  bosom  of  that  father 
who  gently  chides  his  child  to  save  him  from  greater 
punishment  1  Even  the  howling  tempest  testifies  the 
goodness  and  the  mercy  of  Providence.  Does  it  not 
bestir  the  stagnant  atmosphere,  disperse  the  unwhole- 
some vapours,  and  make  the  sun  himself  appear  more 
clear?  In  like  manner  the  trials  of  this  passing  life 
rouse  up  the  slumbering  Christian,  dispel  his  misty 
doubts,  his  cloudy  fears,  and  oft  bequeath  to  him  a 
bright  sunshine  of  peace!  Therefore  "despise  not 
these  chastenings  of  the  Lord.''  Do  not  speak  and 
act  as  if  there  were  neither  goodness  nor  mercy  in 
them: — as  if  they  were  curses  instead  of  blessings! 
Honour  these  afflictions  !  They  are  the  medicines  of 
thy  heavenly  Physician,  and  will  effect  thy  cure ! 
They  are  the  eludings  of  thy  spiritual  Father,  and 
will  save  thee  from  eternal  punishment ! 

Goodness  and  mercy  arc  assuredly  mingled  with  all 
the  dispensations  of  the  Lord.  Each  of  his  children 
has  learned  to  acknowledge  this  truth,  and  to  say,  "It 
was  good  for  me  that  1  have  been  afflicted  !"  O  yes  ! 
From  first  to  last  "  the  whole  paths  of  the  Lord  are 
mercy  and  truth  unto  such  as  keep  his  covenant  and 
his  testimonies."     Goodness  and  mercy  mark  the  past ! 


GOODNESS     Wit    MERCY.  203 

Goodness  and  mercy  gladden  the  present !     Goodness 
ami  mercy  gild  th«'  future  ! 

Hope  is  a  joyous  and  animating  emotion.  It  is  the 
Bpring  of  lif<-.  "  We  are  saved  by  hope,"  writes  the 
Apostle  of  the  Lord.  Confidence  rn  the  promises  of  a 
friend,  who  w  ill  never  deceive,  leads  us  gladly  forward. 
Our  expectations  rise  in  proportion  to  our  know] 
of  his  intentions,  and  our  reliance  on  his  integrity. 
The  believer  lives  on  promise.  He  has  a  Friend  above. 
Thai  Friend  has  passed  his  word: — lie  has  given  his 
promise,  saying,  -I  will  oever  leave  thee  aor  forsake 
thee."  Ileh.  jciii.  5.  Surely,  therefore,  upon  the  word 
and  the  character  of  God,  the  Christian  may  confi- 
dently rely,  without  presumption,  and  affirm,  "Good- 
ness and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my 
life."  Hut  the  desponding  believ<  r  may  still  hesitate, 
and  reply,  "What  right  have  I  to  appropriate  this 
promise,  or  boldly  to  conclude  from  it  as  the  Apostle 
due-,  'that  the  Lord  is  my  helper.'"'"  We  answer, 
Yon  have  the  same  right  to  appropriate  this  promise 
a~  St  Paul  possessed,  and  that  too  with  equal  bold- 
ness. You  observe  the  Apostle  does  not  adduce  this 
promise  as  having  been  specially  addressed  to  his  own 
soul,  lie  knew  that  it  was  originally  spoken  to  the 
church  of  old  ;  but  he  appropriates  it  to  himself,  and 
to  the  Christian  Church,  because  he  also  knew  that 
the  promises  were  made  to  <  Jurist,  Gal.  iii.  L6,  and  that 
"all  the  promises  of  God  in  him  are  Yea,  and  in  him. 
Anion,  to  the  -lory  of  <;<>d  the  Father,"  2  Cor.  L  •-J'1. 
Every  promise,  then, contained  in  Scripture  is  centered 
and  treasured  up  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  We  have  no 
ri'_rht  to  claim  the  fulfilment  of  any  one  of  them  :  but 
Christ  has  a  lull  right  and  title  to  tie-  perfbrmaD 
them  all.     The  blessedness  <■!"  the  gospel  me*  -  i _■•■•  con- 


204  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

sists  in  this,  that  Christ  has  made  himself  on;-  »vith  his 
people,  and  freely  oilers  to  their  use  all  that  he  pos- 
sesses. He  calls  upon  us  to  make  use  of  his  claim-, 
and  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of*  his  privileges.  What  is  his 
by  right,  becomes  ours  by  grace.  All  the  promises  of 
God  are  ours  in  him.  In  ourselves  we  are  bankrupt, 
but  in  Christ  we  have  a  Surety  who  is  infinitely  ricb, 
in  whom  it  hath  pleased  the  Father  that  all  fulness 
should  dwell,  Col.  i.  19. 

It  is  of  great  importance  for  every  Christian  fully  to 
understand,  and  continually  to  remember,  that  his 
standing  before  God  is  only  in  the  suretyship  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  This  is  ihe  "glorious  gospel  of  the 
blessed  God,"  which  is  "commanded  to  be  made 
known  to  all  nations  for  the  obedience  of  faith,"  that 
Christ  Jesus  is  our  appointed  Surety,  and  has  given  113 
full  warrant  and  title  to  use  all  his  rights  and  privi- 
leges as  if  they  were  our  own  !  He  who  bclie\  es  these 
glad  tidings  will  rejoice  in  proportion  as  he  compre- 
hends their  import,  and  relies  upon  their  truth.  As 
he  grows  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  his  Lord, 
he  will  rise  from  one  degree  of  confidence  to  another. 
From  the  full  assurance  of  faith,  Heb.  x.  22,  he  will 
attain  to  the  full  assurance  of  understanding,  Col.  ii. 
2,  and  thence,  to  the  full  assurance  of  hope.  Heb.  vi. 
11.  lie  will  exult,  in  that  Surety  of  the  better  cove- 
nant, Heb.  vii.  22,  who  so  graciously  says,  Ask  in  my 
name,  —Pray  in  my  name  —"Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  father  in  my  name, 
he  will  give  it  you,"  John  xvi.  23.  Great,  indeed,  ia 
the  privilege  here  given  to  plead  his  gracious  name, 
and  most  precious  is  the  promise  here  attached  to  its 
use  in  prayer.  The  very  best  of  men  are  unworthy  of 
Hiich  a  privilege  and  promise.     Yel  there  is  not  one  of 


GOODNESS    AND    MERCY.  205 

the  sons  of  Adam  bul  shall  be  math;  welcome  to  them 
both  -in  Christ."  "Him  that  cometh  unto  me,"  says 
the  Saviour,  "  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  John  vi.  37. 
"For  there  is  uo  difference  between  the  Jew  and  (he 
Greek  ;  lor  the  same  Lord  over  all  is  rich  unto  all  that 
call  upon  him.  For  whosoever  shall  call  upon  (he 
name  of  the  Lord  shall  hi-  Baved,"  Rom.  x.  12.  !::. 

The  promises  of  God  comprehend  all  manner  of 
blessings,  and  are  applicable  to  all  the,  varied  condi- 
tions of  life !  In  whatever  state  ami  circumstance 
the  Christian  is  placed,  he  will  find  a  promise  suited 
to  bis  case:  for  "godliness  i-  profitable  unto  all  things, 
having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is.  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come,"  1  'rim.  iv.  S.  And  it  is  because 
he  can  always  lay  hold,  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth,  of 
an  appropriate  promise,  thai  he  is  warranted  boldly  to 
affirm  with  the  Psalmist,  "  Surely  goodness  and  d 
shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life  !" 

Is  (he  believer  in  need/  The  Word  of  God  ex- 
tends to  him  promises  of  food  and  raiment  !  "There- 
fore take  no  thought,  saying,  What  shall  we  eal  .'  or. 
What  -hill  we  drink?  or,  wherewithal  shall  we  be 
clothed?  (lor  after  all  thee  things  do  the  Gentiles 
;)  for  your  heavenly  father  knoweth  that  ye 
have  need  of  all  these  things.  But  seek  ye  first  the 
kingdom  of  ( iod,  and  his  righteousness  ;  and  all  thee 
things shaU  he  added  unto  you,"  Matt.  \i.  :;i     ::.;. 

I-  the  believer  trembling  and  fearful,  and  exposed  to 
danger  /  Here  are  promises  of  safety  and  protection! 
"The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil,  he  shall 
preserve  thy  bouI,"  Psa.  exxL  7.  "  Fear  thou  uot, 
1  ;""  with  thee.  Be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God. 
When  (how  passes*  through  the  water.  I  win  he  with 
thee:  and  through  ts  ■  rivers,  they  shall  Dot  overflow 

is 


206  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

thee  ;  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire  thou  shalt 
not  be  burned ;  neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon 
thee.  For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  holy  One  of 
Israel,  thy  Saviour,"  Isaiah  xliii.  2. 

Does  the  believer  stand  in  doubt  and  difficulty  1 
Here  are  promises  of  guidance  and  direction  !  "  In 
all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and  he  shall  direct  thy 
paths,"  Prov.  iii.  6.  "  I  will  instruct  thee,  and  teach 
thee  in  the  way  Avhich  thou  shalt  go ;  I  will  guide 
thee  with  mine  eye,"  Psa.  xxxii.  8.  "  And  thine  ears 
shall  hear  a  word  behind  thee,  saying,  This  is  the 
way,  walk  ye  in  it,  when  ye  turn  to  the  right  hand, 
and  when  ye  turn  to  the  left,"  Isa.  xxx.  21.  "  If  any 
of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that  giveth 
to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not ;  and  it  shall 
be  given  him,"  James  i.  5. 

Is  the  believer  persecuted  and  distressed  ?  Here 
are  promises  of  refuge  and  deliverance  !  "  The  Lord 
will  be  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed:  a  refuge  in  times 
of  trouble,"  Psa.  ix.  9.  "  He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six 
troubles  ;  yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee," 
Job  v.  19.  And  when  he  is  pining  in  sickness  and 
declining  in  years,  what  rich  promises  are  supplied  to 
sustain  him?  "The  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon 
the  bed  of  languishing.  Thou  wilt  make  all  his  bed 
in  his  sickness,"  Psa.  xli.  3.  "  And  even  to  your  old 
age  I  am  he;  and  even  to  hoar  hairs  will  I  carry 
you.  I  have  made,  and  I  will  bear  :  even  I  will  (.any, 
and  will  deliver  you,*'  Isa.  xlvi.  4. 

Is  the  believer  poor  and  friendless  ?  Here  are  prom- 
ises to  the  poor,  the  fatherless,  and  the  widow  !  "  The 
needy  shall  not  always  be  forgotten  :  the  expectation 
of  the  poor  shall  not  perish  for  ever,"  Psa.  ix.  18. 
"He  shall  deliver  the  needy  when  he  crielh.  the  poor 


GOODNESS    AND    MERCY.  207 

.u-<  i  and  liim  that  hath  no. helper,"  Psa.  Iwii.  18 
"A  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  a  judge  of  the  wid- 
ows, is  God  in  bis  holy  habitation,"  Pra.  Ixviii.  5. 
"Leave  m\  fatherless  children,  1  will  preserve  them 
alive,  and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me,"  Jer.  \li\.  11. 

Does  the  believer  mourn  over  Bin,  and  yearn  after 
purity  of  heart  .'  Here  are  promises  of  pardon  and 
sanctiflcation !  "Come  now.  and  Let  us  reason  to- 
gether, saith  the  I  iord  :  though  \  our  sins  be  as  scarlet, 
they  Bhall  be  as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red 
like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool,"  [sa.  i.  is.  ••  The 
Mood  of  Jesus  <  Jhrist  his  Son  cleanseth  ns  from  all  sin." 
I  John  i.  7.  "1  will  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you 
and  ye  shall  he  clean:  from  all  your  filthiness  and 
from  all  your  idols  win  |  cleanse  you.  \  new  heart. 
also  will  I  give  you,  and  a  right  spirit  w  ill  I  put  within 
you;  and  1  will  take  awaj  the  stonj  heart  out  of  your 
flesh,  and  I  will  give  you  an  heart  of  flesh,"  Ezek. 
>\w  i.  86, 

[s  the  believer  fearful  that  his  prayers  are  unheard  / 
Here  are  promises  of  most  gracious  answers !  "Call 
opon  me  in  the  daj  of  trouble;  I  will  deliver  thee, 
and  thou  shall  glorify  in.-.'"  Psa.  I.  15.  ••  Isk,  and  it 
shall  be  given  yon:  neck,  and  ye  shall  find;  knock, 
and   it   shall   he   opened  nnto  you,"  Matt.  \ii.  7,      -  \\ 

ye  shall  ask  anything  in  ray  name,  I  will  do  it."  John 
riv.  I  I.     -  \n«i  it  -hall  come  to  pass,  that  before  the} 

••all  I  will  answer;   and  while  they  are  vet  speaking  ! 

Mill  hear,"  [sa.  bcv.  24.  -  1  <-,\u\  not  unto  the  seed  «>t' 
Jacob,  Seek  ye  me  in  Tain,"  [sa.  \l\.  19.  "Thej 
shall  .all  on  ray  name,  and  I  will  hear  them :  I  will 
say,  It  is  my  people  :  and  they  shall  Bay,  The  Lord  is 
my  God,"  Zech.  \iii.  '.>. 

Is  the  believer  exposed  to  temptations?     H*»re  are 


208  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

promises  of  grace  to  overcome  them  all !  "  God  is 
faithful,  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above 
that  ye  are  able  ;  but  will  with  the  temptation  also 
make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it," 
1  Cor.  x.  13.  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee  ;  for 
my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness,"  2  Cor.  xii. 
9.  "  The  Lord  knoweth  how  to  deliver  the  godly  out 
of  temptations,"  2  Pet.  ii.  9.  "Be  of  good  cheer,  I 
have  overcome  the  world,"  John  xvi.  33.  "  The  God 
of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan  under  your  feet  shortly," 
Rom.  xvi.  20.  "  Resist  tbe  devil,  and  he  will  ilee 
from  you,"  James  iv.  7.  "  The  Lord  is  faithful,  who 
shall  stablish  you,  and  keep  you  from  evil,"  2  Thess. 
iii.  3. 

Does  the  believer  look  anxiously  forward  to  the  fu- 
ture ?  Here  are  promises  of  the  favour  and  presence 
of  his  God.  "  Zion  saith,  The  Lord  hath  forsaken 
me,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me  !  Can  a  woman 
forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  should  not  have 
compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb  ?  Yea,  they  may 
forget,  yet  will  I  not  forget  thee.  Behold  I  have  gra- 
ven thee  upon  the  palms  of  my  hands,"  Isa.  xlix.  14. 
"  Fear  thou  not :  for  I  am  with  thee,"  Isa.  xli.  10. 
"  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world,"  Matt,  xxviii.  20.  "Fear  not,  little  flock;  for 
it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  king- 
dom," Luke  xii.  32.  "Fear  none  of  those  things 
which  thou  shalt  suffer.  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 
and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life,"  Rev.  ii.  10. 

What  a  treasury  of  promises  is  here  laid  open  to  the 
believer!     The  Bible  is  a  storehouse  inexhaustible 
It  abounds  with  rich,  and  suitable,  and  precious  bless- 
ings.    Divine  wisdom  has  adapted  them  to  meet  every 
variety  of  experience,  and  to  administer  all  the  sup- 


GOODNESS    AN:    MERCY.  209 

port,  or  guidance,  or  consolation  that  may  be  necessa- 
ry. No  condition  in  life  is  left  unsupplied.  An  ;i|v 
propriate  promise  is  provided  for  every  person,  and  fof 
every  position.  Therefore  in  every  circumstance  the 
believer  should  rejoice  in  the  goodness  and  mercy  of 
his  Lord,  ilc  should  place  the  firmest  reliance  on  the 
fulfilment  of  every  word  which  ( tod  has  spoken. 
is  not  a  man  that  he  should  li'\  neither  the  son  of  man 
that  he  should  repent  :  hath  he  Baid,  and  shall  he  not 
do  it  /  or  hath  he  spoken,  and  shall  he  nol  make  it 
good  .'"'  Numb.  wiii.  19.  The  promises  arc  immuta- 
ble. "It  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie."  Flee  hither, 
then,  for  refuge,  ()  tried  believer!     Thou  shah,  e 

og  consolation."  Flee  from  doubtings  of  God's 
love.  Give  no  indulgence  to  unbelieving  fears.  Lay 
hold  on  the  hope  set  before  thee.  Grasp  the  promises 
with  a  firm  faith.  They  were  made  to  be  believed. 
They  are  given  to  thee  in  Christ  to  be  trusted  in.  and 
acted  upon  ! 

Again,  then,  we  would  repeat  that  it.  was  only  be- 
cause David  relied  on  the  character  of  God,  and  on 
the  veracity  of  his  promises,  thai  he  was  enabled  thus 
joyfully  to  affirm,  "Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall 
follow  me  all  the  days  <<l'  my  Life.*  Like  him.  Li  us 
also  encourage  ourselves  in  the  Lord  our  God.  Make. 
God  in  Christ,  O  Reader,  the  beginning,  the  contin- 
uance, and  the  end  of  your  confidence.  Learn  that  it 
was  not  lor  i he  Bake  of  any  virtue  which  you  pos- 
sessed  that  God  at  fust  bestowed  his  '.rood-will  upon 
you  : — that  it  h  not  on  account  of  any  value  that  j  on 
are  to  him.  that  he  now  exhibits  mercy  and  forbear- 
ance towards  you: — ami  that  it  is  not  lor  any  services 
which  you  may  hereafter  render,  that  his  goodness 
and  mercy  sh;dl  follow  you  in  the  future!  Learn 
18* 


210  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

that  it  is  of  his  own  excellent  nature,  and  for  the  glo 
ry  of  his  own  great  name,  that  he  takes  any  gracious 
notice  of  such  sinners  and  rebels  as  we  are.  "  He  is 
good,"  and  therefore  he  doeth  good.  "He  is  love," 
and  therefore  he  showeth  love,  even  to  the  dead  in 
trespasses  and  in  sins.  This  is,  indeed,  a  most  hu- 
miliating doctrine.  It  lays  all  self-righteousness  in 
the  dust.  There  let  it  ever  lie  !  The  tottering  fabric 
of  human  merit — raze  it,  raze  it,  even  to  the  ground ! 
Let  the  foundations  of  it  be  utterly  destroyed :  and  let 
the  beautiful  building  of  a  holy  and  heavenly  hope  be 
erected  on  the  new  "  foundation  which  God  hath  laid 
in  Zion,"  Isa.  xxviii.  16.  "  For  other  foundation  can 
no  man  lay,  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ," 
1  Cor.  iii.  11.  By  our  own  natural  doings  we  can 
only  bring  ourselves  under  the  curse  of  a  broken  law. 
"  For  cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all 
things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do 
them."  But  in  Christ  Jesus  we  are  delivered  from 
that  merited  condemnation.  As  it  is  written,  "Christ 
hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being 
made  a  curse  for  us,"  Gal.  iii.  10,  13.  But  for  the  im- 
puted righteousness  of  this  great  Surety  we  could  have 
no  hope.  Has  not  the  Apostle  given  us  a  fourfold  de- 
scription of  our  natural  state,  which  is  enough  to 
overwhelm  us  with  fourfold  despair  ?  Does  he  not 
affirm  that  by  nature  we  are  "without  strengtb,"  that 
we  are  "  ungodly,"  that  we  are  "  sinners,"  and  that 
we  are  the  "  enemies"  of  God  !  O  how  can  a  weak, 
ungodly  sinner,  who  is  the  enemy  of  his  Maker,  be 
acceptable  before  him,  or  merit  admission  into  his 
heavenly  presence?  But  while  the  Apostle  thus  over- 
throws every  mere  human  hope ;  while  he  leaves  not 
one  stone  upon  another  in  the  building  of  self-right- 


GOODNESS    AND    KEBGY.  211 

eousness  that  is  not  thrown  down  ;  doea  he  not  at  the 
same  moment,  and  in  the  very  same  verses,  seek  to 
build  us  up  id  Christ  Jesus?  Does  he  not  most  bless- 
edly declare  that  "  when  we  were  yet  without  strength, 

ID  due  time  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly?"  Does  he 
not  aver  that  "God  commendeth  his  love  toward  us  in 
that  while  we  were  yet  sinners  Christ  died  for  us?" 
Docs  lie  not  argue  that  "if  when  we  were  enemies, 
we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son, 
much  more  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his 
life?"  "And  not  only  so,"  does  he  not  also  lead  n< 
forward  to  "joy  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
by  whom  we  have  now  received  the  atonement V' 
Rom.  v.  6 — 11. 

Reader,  dosl  thou  wish  to  be  built  up  in  <  Ihrist,  and 
to  rejoice  in  God  .'  Examine  thyself.  Hast  thou  also 
"received  the  atonement  V  Dost  thou  regard  the 
Lord  Jesus  as  all  thy  salvation,  and  all  th\  desire? 
The  prophet  has  declared  that  all  we  like  Bheep  have 
gone  astray  :  we  have  turned  every  one  to  ma  own 
way.  And  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  his  Son  lli<-  iniquity 
Of  US  all  !      I<:i.  liii.  6.       Dost   thou  believe  llii-  .'       Dost 

thou  believe  thai  God  hath  laid  thy  sin-  on  the  head 
of  Jesus;  and  thai  he  is  not  imputing  unto  thee  thy 
trespasses?  2  Cor.  v.  19.  Hast  thou  cordially  accepted 
this  gracious  act  on  the  part  of  thy  heavenly  Father  .' 
And  dost  thou  gratefully  receive  the  atonement  which 
thy  provided  Surety  has  made  for  thy  sins !  See, 
then,  to  what  that  atonement  legitimately  conducts 
thee,  to  "joy  in  God  through  Jesus  Chrisl  !"  Yes,  the 
atonenii  m  h  the  grand  foundation  of  our  hope.  It  is 
the  only  basis  of  pardon  for  the  past,  acceptance  for 
the  present,  and  joy  for  the  future  !  <  Ihrist  Jesus  lias 
made  atonement  for  our  sins,  and  has  "  brought  in  an 


212  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

everlasting  righteousness  !"  He  "  hath  blotted  out  a8 
a  thick  cloud  our  transgressions,  and  as  a  cloud  ouf 
sins."  And  he  calls  upon  us  to  "  return  to  him,  be- 
cause he  hath  redeemed  us  !"  "  Sing,  O  ye  heavens, 
for  the  Lord  hath  done  it.  Shout,  ye  lower  parts  of 
the  earth.  Break  forth  into  singing,  ye  mountains, 
O  forest,  and  every  tree  therein :  for  the  Lord  hath 
redeemed  Jacob,  and  glorified  himself  in  Israel,"  Isa. 
xliv.  22,  23. 

Great  and  marvellous  are  the  goodness  and  mercy 
of  Jehovah  which  flow  forth  through  the  atonement ! 
The  believer  therefore  cleaves  continually  to  the  Re- 
deemer. Goodness  and  mercy  ever  follow  him,  and 
form  the  themes  of  his  unceasing  thanksgivings.  "  I 
will  mention  the  lovingkindnesses  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  praises  of  the  Lord,  according  to  all  that  the  Lord 
hath  bestowed  on  us,  and  the  great  goodness  toward 
the  house  of  Israel,  which  he  hath  bestowed  on  them 
according  to  his  mercies,  and  according  to  the  multi- 
tude of  his  lovingkindnesses,"  Isa.  lxiii.  7.  The  very 
name  of  God  declares  to  us  his  goodness  and  hi* 
mercy.  The  name  revealed  to  Moses  on  the  mount 
of  Sinai,  has  been  revealed  to  us  in  blood  upon  the 
mount  of  Calvary.  There  Jehovah  stood  and  pro- 
claimed his  glorious  name.  "  The  Lord,  the  Lord 
God  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering,  and  abun- 
dant in  goodness  and  truth.  Keeping  mercy  for  thou- 
sands, forgiving  inicpiity  and  transgression  and  sin, 
and  that  will  by  no  means  clear  the  guilty,"  Exodi 
xwiv.  ('). 

David  had  learned  that  name  in  the  writings  of 
Moses.  He  did  not  learn  it  in  vain.  ITe  placed  his 
whole  trust  in  the  character  of  God  which  it  revealed. 
See  how  in  many  of  his  Psalms  he  rejoices  in  the 


SOODNE8S    AND    MERCY.  213 

in  Son  of  goodness  and  mercy  which  he  had  found  in 
God.  "The  Lord  is  good,  bis  mercy  is  everlasting,'1 
Pea.  c.  5.     See  how  he  calls  on  others  to  exull  i 

mm."  God.     -Oh  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  he 
is  good,  for  his  merry  endureth   for  e\  cvii., 

cxviii.,  and  cxxxvi.     See  how  he  declares  thai  I 
shall  form  the  subjects  of  wonder  and  rejoicing  and 
praise  to  unborn  multitudes.    '-They  Bhall  abund 
utter  the  memory  of  thy  great  goodness,  and  I 

sing  of  thy  righteousness.  The  Lord  is  gracious  and 
full  of  compassion,  slow  to  anger  and  of  great  m 
The  Lord  is  good  to  all ;  and  his  tender  mercies  are 
over  all  his  works,"  Psa.  cxlv.  7—9.  Behold  also  how 
he  employs  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  the  Lord  as 
solid  arguments  in  prayer.  "Remember  not  the  sins 
of  my  youth,  nor  my  transgressions:  according  to  thy 
mercy,  remember  thou  me,  for  thy  goodness'  sake,  6 
Lord,-'  Psa.  xxv.  6 — 8,  10.      Psa.  l'xxxvi.  3—.-,,  17. 

The  GOODNESS  of  the  Lord  is  ahnndant  and  iniinea- 

Burable.     It  is  most   precious   and  satisfying. 

people  shall  he  satisfied  with  my  goodness,  Baith  the 
Lord,"  Jer.  xxxi.  14.  It  is  free,  it  is  unfailing,  it  is 
universal.     "  Oh  how  great  is  thy  goodness  which  thou 

hast  laid  up  for  them  that  fear  thee:  which  thoit  hast 
wrought  for  them  that  trust  in  thee  before  the  sons  of 
men."'  p>a.  xxxi.  P.).  May  we  not  therefore  call  on 
every  human  being,  and  say,  "O  taste  and  Bee  that 
the  Lord  is  good.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in 
him."  Psa.  \\\iv.  8. 

Should  we  attempt  to  speak  of  the  Mercjjz  of  the 
Lord,  it  is  altogether  indescribable  !     "  \\  h  i  is  a 
like  unto  thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity, and  passethby 
the  transgression  of  the  remnant  of  hk  heritage  .'     lie 
retaineth  not  his  anger  for  ever,  because  he  delightetfa 


214  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

in  mercy.  He  will  turn  again.  He  will  have  com- 
passion upon  us.  He  will  subdue  our  iniquities.  And 
thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the  depths  of  the  sea  !" 
Micah  vii.  18,  19.  How  exceeding  great  is  the  mercy 
of  the  Lord  !  "  For  thy  great  mercies'  sake  thou  didst 
not  utterly  consume  them,  nor  forsake  them,  for  thou 
art  a  gracious  and  merciful  God,"  Neh.  ix.  31 ;  Isa.  liv. 
10.  The  mercies  of  Jehovah  are  rich  and  manifold. 
"  God  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great  love  where- 
with he  loved  us,"  Eph.  ii.  4.  "  Though  he  cause 
grief,  yet  will  he  have  compassion  according  to  the 
multitude  of  his  mercies,"  Lam.  iii.  32.  They  are 
tender  and  plenteous.  "  The  Lord  is  very  pitiful  and 
of  tender  mercy,"  James  v.  11.  "  The  Lord  is  merci- 
ful and  gracious,  slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in 
mercy,"  Psa.  ciii.  8.  They  are  sure  and  enduring. 
"  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  you,  even 
the  sure  mercies  of  David,"  Isa.  lv.  3.  "  Oh  give 
thanks  unto  the  God  of  heaven,  for  his  mercy  endureth 
for  ever,"  Psa.  cxxxvi.  26.  They  are  abundant  and 
everlasting.  "  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  according  to  his  abundant 
mercy,  hath  begotten  us  again  unto  a  lively  hope  by 
the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead,"  1  Pet. 
i.  3.  "  The  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,"  Psa.  ciii.  17. 
Well  then  may  every  Christian  unite  with  David,  and 
say,  "  I  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thy  mercy,"  Psa. 
xx xi.  7. 

Why  are  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  the  Lord  thus 
abundantly  revealed  in  Scripture  ?  The  answer  is 
simple — that  we  may  trust  in  him  for  them,  and  be 
enabled  to  say  with  David,  "  Surely  goodness  and 
mercy  shall  follow  me  through  all  the  days  of  my 


GOODNESS    AND    MERCY.  215 

life!"  Encourage  thyself  then,  Oh  believer,  to  trust 
in  God  fully,  constantly,  increasingly  !  The  Lord  is 
good  in  himself.  Whether  you  trust  him  or  not,  '-the 
Lord  La  good  :  a  stronghold  in  the  day  of  trouble  :  and 
he  knoweth  them  that  irust  io  him,"  Nahum  i.  7. 
The  Lord  is  merciful :  he  is  "  the  Father  of  mercies," 
2  Cor.  i.  3.  Oh,  wilt  thou  not  trust  in  him?  "The 
Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  him;  in  those 
that  hope  in  hi>  mercy,"  Psa.  cxlvii.  11.  If  tin-  good- 
M  and  mercy  of  an  earthly  monarch  were  proclaim- 
ed to  a  rebellious  subject,  would  it  not  show  exceeding 
hardness  of  heart,  did  he  discredit  the  proclamation, 
and  refuse  allegiance  ?  But  should  he  believe  the 
word  of  hi<  sovereign,  throw  down  the  weapons  of  his 
rebellion,  and  say.  "Goodness  and  mercy  shall  now 
follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life:"  would  not  this  ex- 
hibition of  faith  and  confidence  I"-  but  hi<  oh\  ions  and 
bounden  duty  3  At  the  same  time  would  it  not  honour 
his  sovereign,  and  promote  his  own  happiness  3  Such 
is  our  position  towards  God.  "We  are  rebels  under  an 
extension  of  mercy.  To  trust  in  him,  and  cease  from 
rebellion,  is  our  positive  duty.  Is  he  not  worthy  of  our 
fullest  confidence?  And  the  more  we  confide  in  him, 
do  we  not  the  more  honour  our  Sovereign,  and  increase 
the  happiness  of  our  own  minds?  If  then,  Oh  be- 
liever, thy  God  and  Redeemer  is  pleased  to  bestow  his 
goodness  and  mercy  upon  thee,  why  dost  thou  not  re- 
joice? If  he  appoint-  these  heavenly  handmaidens  to 
attend  thee,  whj  wilt  thou  not  acknowledge  his  kind- 
ness, and  say  with  David,  ''Surely  goodness  and 
mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  fife  .''" 

Live  up  to  thy  high  privileges,  <  Mi  professing  ( 'liris 
dan!  uGod  has  given  thee  exceeding  great  and 
precious    promises,   that    by   these   thou   mightest   be 


210  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

partaker  of  the  divine  nature,"  2  Pet.  i.  4.  If  thou 
believest  not  the  promises,  thou  dost  defeat  this  sub- 
lime design  !  Instead  of  rising  superior  to  the  careg 
and  the  trials  of  life,  thou  becomest  weak  in  soul,  and 
troubled  about  many  things  which  could  not  other- 
wise disturb  thee  !  Oh  pray  for  the  gift  of  faith — a 
strong  unwavering  faith  !  "  This  is  the  victory  that 
overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith,"  1  John  v.  4. 
It  was  faith  alone  which  enabled  David  to  say,  "I 
shall  not  want " — "  I  shall  fear  no  evil " — "  Surely 
goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of 
my  life  !"  He  never  for  a  moment  imagined  that  he 
possessed  any  peculiar  claim  on  the  protection  of  God. 
Nay,  he  recognised  no  claim  whatever.  All  was  good- 
ness, all  was  mercy,  in  his  estimation.  It  was  spon- 
taneous goodness — it  was  unmerited  mercy,  from  the 
first  moment  to  the  present.  Having  therefore  ex- 
perienced the  lovingkindness  of  Jehovah  hitherto,  why 
should  he  not  also  enjoy  it  in  the  future  ?  Docs  Je- 
hovah change?  Can  his  resources  be  exhausted? 
Does  his  strength  fail?  Does  his  love  decay?  Oh 
no  !  "  The  mountains  shall  depart ;  and  the  hills  be 
removed  ;  but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed, 
saith  the  Lord  that  hath  mercy  on  thee,"  Isa.  liv.  10. 
The  heart  of  the  Psalmist  fully  accorded  with  the 
sentiment  which  St.  Paul  lias  strikingly  expressed,  "  I 
know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  that 
he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  unto 
him  against  that  day,"  2  Tim.  i.  12.  The  sentiments 
of  believers  harmonize,  under  the  teaching  of  the  same 
Spirit.  David  could  declare  in  another  Psalm,  "The 
Lord  will  perfect  that  which  concerneth  me:  thy 
mercy,  O  Lord,  endureth  for  ever,  forsake  not  the 


GOODNESS    AM)    MERCY.  217 

works  of  thine  own  hands,"  l'sa.  cxxxviii.  S.  And  St. 
Paul  could  not  only  affirm  for  himself,  "The  Lord 
shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work,  and  will  pre- 
serve  me  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom,"  2  Tim.  iv.  18: 
but  he  could  also  comfort  the  lMiilippians  with  a  simi- 
lar assurance,  :  Being  confidenl  of  this  very  thing,  that 
he  who  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you,  will  perform 
it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ,"  Phil.  i.  (">. 

Rejoice  then,  Oh  believer,  in  the  unchangeableness 
of  thy  God.  He  is  Jehovah.  lie  changes  not;  and 
therefore  Is  it  that  the  sons  of  Jacob  are  not  consumed, 
Mil.  iii.  6.  Say.  has  not  thy  past  life  been  one  con- 
tinued wxperieme  of  goodness  and  mercy  from  thy 
God?  Is  there  a  single  step  in  thy  pilgrimage  where 
neither  goodness  nor  mercy  followed  thee  from  above? 
Is  there  any  period  of  thy  history  regarding  which 
thou  canst  deliberately  assert  that  then  the  Lord  had 
forgotten  to  be  gracious?  Dark  and  dreadful  as  that 
period  may  have  proved,  and  dismal  as  may  be  its 
recollection,  hast  thou  never  calmly  thought  that  but 
for  goodness  and  mercy  it  might  have  proved  more 
dark,  more  dreadful  still:  that  but  for  goodness  and 
mercy  thy  soul  might  then  have  sunk  into  everlasting 
darkness  !  "It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  are 
1 1< it  consumed, because  his  compassions  fail  not,;'  Lam. 
iii.  22.  The  Psalmist  lived  upon  this  truth.  In  his 
weakcsl  and  most  desponding  seasons  he  fled  to  it  for 
.-[length  and  consolation.  Hear  how  it  inspired  him 
with  a  song  of  gratitude  in  a  "day  of  trouble  !':  •  1 
will  praise  thee,  O  Lord  my  God,  with  all  my  heart; 
and  I  will  glorify  thy  name  for  evermore:  for  great  is 
thy  mercy  toward  me.  and  thou  hast  delivered  my 
soul  from  the  lowest  h.ll  !"  Psa.  lxxxvi.  12, 13.  Yes, 
Oh  believer,  that  thou  art.  still  in  the  land  of  the  liv- 

19 


218  GOODNESS    AND    MERCY. 

ing,  and  in  the  place  of  hope,  is  a  proof  that  goodness 
and  mercy  have  followed  thee !  Wilt  thou  then  dis- 
honour Him  who  has  blessed  thee  hitherto  1  Wilt 
thou  distrust  that  God  who  has  stored  the  future  for 
thee  with  his  promises  ?  Look  back  with  gratitude 
upon  the  past,  and  thou  shalt  lear.n  to  look  forward 
with  confidence  to  the  future.  "  Acquaint  thyself 
with  God  and  thou  shalt  be  at  peace."  Lean  on  his 
love !  Rely  on  his  strength  !  Confide  in  his  promises  ! 
"He  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  mercy  shall  compass 
him  about.  Be  glad  then  in  the  Lord,  and  rejoice,  ye 
righteous :  and  shout  for  joy  all  ye  that  are  upright  in 
heart."  "  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield  ;  the 
Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory  :  no  good  thing  will  he 
withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly !  O  Lord  of 
hosts,  blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee !" — A 
simple  and  steadfast  faith  in  Thy  promises,  enables  him 
to  say,  "  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me 
all  the  days  of  my  life  !" 


THE   HOUSE   OF  THE   LOUD. 


Verse  G. — And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  for  ever. 

\\  hat  an  appropriate  termination  to  this  most 
beautiful  Psalm!  The  sentiment  here  expressed  by 
the  Psalmist  surpasses  all  that  the  imagination  can 
conceive,  or  that  the  heart  can  possibly  desire  !  "  And 
I  w  ill  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever."  What 
a  -;itisfactory  conclusion  to  a  believer's  hopes  I  V\  bat 
a  comprehensive  statement  of  a  believer's  privileges! 
It  includes  all  the  honours  and  (be  happiness  which 
he  has  already  enjoyed  in  the  fold  of  his  Shepherd, 
and  at  the  banquet  of  his  Lord.  It  implies  that  they 
shall  all  be  continued  to  him  as  his  future  portion, 
with  still  higher  privileges  and  richer  blessings.  And 
it  heightens  his  joy,  and  crowns  bis  hope  with  the 
assurance  that  all  the  glories  of  that  house  shall  be  his 
inheritance  for  ever  and  for  evermore.  It  is  as  it 
David  had  said  in  analogy  with  the  imagery  in  this 
Psalm,  "  I  love  the  fold  of  the  good  Shepherd ;  I  will 
abide  within  it  continually— I  shall  be  Bafe  and  happy 
in  it  for  ever  !  At  the  banquet  of  my  heavenly  I  l"-t  I 
rejoice  to  present  myself  as  an  invited  <rucst.  I  Bhall 
nefcer  be  excluded  from  his  prepared  tab! — and  I 
know  that  be  will  receive  me  in  his  house  with  a 
gracious  and  everlasting  welcome  !" 


220  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

The  concluding  sentence  of  this  Psalm  may  be 
regarded  as  expressing  the  grand  desire  and  determi- 
nation of  David's  heart.  The  Lord  had  abundantly 
exhibited  his  loving-kindness  towards  him,  and  now 
he  fully,  freely,  and  for  ever,  chooses  JehovaL  as  his 
portion,  and  his  service  as  his  delight.  He  had 
hitherto  spoken  of  the  unnumbered  benefits  which  the 
Most  High  conferred  upon  him.  Every  succeeding 
verse  enumerated  some  additional  kindness  which  he 
had  received  from  his  faithful  Shepherd  and  his 
gracious  Host.  In  the  first  clause  of  this  verse  the 
Psalmist  affirmed  his  conviction  that  "goodness  and 
mercy  would  follow  him  all  the  days  of  his  life ;" 
and  the  last  clause  is  shown  to  bear  an  important 
connection  with  that  sentiment.  He  introduces  it 
with  the  conjunctive  particle  "  and,"  as  if  to  intimate 
that  intense  gratitude  constrained  him  to  seek  utter- 
ance for  his  feelings,  and  would  not  allow  him  to  ter- 
minate the  Psalm,  till  he  had  given  expression  to  the 
noble  resolution  which  the  enjoyment  of  so  many 
mercies  had  awakened  in  his  breast.  "  Goodness  and 
mercy  from  my  God  shall  follow  me  all  the  days 
of  my  life :  And  I  for  my  part  will  choose  his  house 
and  service  above  my  chiefest  joy  in  time  and  in 
eternity." 

O  how  delightful  is  it  to  hear  a  sinner  declare  by 
Divine  teaching,  "I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord !"  Of  his  own  natural  inclination  he  would  say, 
"  I  will  not  dwell  with  God.  My  delight  is  in  the 
honours  and  the  pleasures  of  the  world.  My  greatest 
enjoyments  are  to  be  found  in  the  society  and  man- 
sions of  my  gay  companions.  Amongst  them  is  my 
portion,  and  with  them  will  I  dwell !"  But  such  was 
not  the  case  with  David.     His  mind  had  been  en- 


THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  221 

lightened  from  above  to  discern  the  hollowness  of  sub- 
lunary joys!  He  had  been  taught  to  estimate  all 
things  by  the  eternal  standard.  And  though  he  be- 
held the  world  opening  fair  before  him,  though  he 
enjoyed  a  bright  prospect  of  merited  honour  and  happi- 
ness, though  his  residence  at  the  court  of  Saul  intro- 
duced him  to  many  new  and  valuable  privileges,  yet 
he  prized  above  them  aD  the  constant  access  which  it 
gave  liim  to  the  courts  of  the  Lord.  He  was  about  to 
become  the  son-in-law  of  the  king,  but  he  did  not  gay, 
••  I  shall  now  be  a  favoured  resident  in  the  courts 
of  royalty."'  0  no!  his  affections  wen-  fixed  on  the 
Banctuary  of  God.  Thither  he  repaired  continually, 
and  the  lull  utterance  of  his  heart's  desire  and  deter- 
minatioD  was  this,  ••  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord." 

These  words  may  Likewise  he  considered  as  descri- 
bing another  of  those  bigh  spiritual  privilegos  which 
David  enjoyed  at  the  hand  of  God.  This  Psalm  is 
one  pre-eminently  «(  privilege.  It  speaks  throughout 
of  what  Jehovah  vouchsafes  to  conferupon  Dispeople. 
And  our  thoughts  will  harmonize  with  all  the  previous 
sentiments  which  it  contains,  it  we  contemplate  the 
Psalmist  as  having  now  reached  the  climax  of  his 
enumerated  blessings.  \ll  conceivable  happiness  is 
comprehended  in  this  one  expression,  "  the  house  of 
the  Lord.""  Not  a  single  privilege  for  time  or  for  eter- 
nity remains  beyond  it  to  he  desired,  and  therefore  with 
a  lull  heart  he  sums  up  his  joy  and  his  Psalm  together, 
saving.  "And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  <>i"  the  Lord 
forever!"  <>h.  what  a  blessed,  whit  a  glorious,  privi- 
lege does  the  Lord  confer  on  his  believing  people!  lie 
admits  them  to  his  gracious  presence  in  bis  church  on 

19' 


222  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    i^OltD. 

earth,  and  he  will  receive  them  into  his  glorious  prcs« 
ence  in  his  church  in  heaven  ! 

To  be  a  constant  worshipper  before  the  throne  of 
God  in  time  and  in  eternity,  was  at  once  the  grand  de- 
termination and  the  most  valued  privilege  of  the 
Psalmist.  It  is  the  last  of  all  the  blessings  which  he 
enumerates  :  and  it  is  the  highest  which  he  could  wish 
to  enjoy !  As  the  sheep  knows  not  a  greater  safety 
than  to  abide  in  the  security  of  its  Shepherd's  fold ! 
As  the  guest  knows  not  a  higher  honour  at  the  banquet 
than  to  enjoy  the  smile  of  his  Royal  Host !  As  the 
infant  dreams  not  of  higher  bliss,  than  to  repose  con- 
tinually upon  its  mother's  breast !  As  the  dutiful  child 
recognises  no  happier  dwelling  than  the  home  of  its 
fond  and  beloved  parents  !  So  the  true  believer  finds 
all  his  security  and  honour  in  the  fold  and  the  favour 
of  his  God  !  He  can  conceive  of  no  happier  home,  of 
no  higher  bliss,  than  the  home  and  the  heart  of  his 
heavenly  Father  !  And  therefore  with  a  glad,  a  grate- 
ful, and  a  determined  spirit,  he  exclaims,  "I  will  dwell 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever !"  To  dwell  in  a 
house  implies  our  admission  to  intimacy  and  friendship 
with  its  owner.  To  dwell  in  "  the  house  of  the  Lord" 
insures  our  possession  of  honour  and  of  happiness. 
And  to  dwell  in  His  house  "  for  ever"  intimates  the  en- 
joyment of  that  friendship,  and  happiness,  and  honour, 
without  interruption  and  without  end  ! 

The  "  house  of  the  Lord"  is  a  scriptural  expression 
denoting  both  thechurch  militant  below  and  the  church 
triumphant  above.  Of  tin;  Conner  we  hear  David  thus 
speaking  in  another  Psalm,  "  One  tiling  havel  desired 
of  the  Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after,  That  f  may  dwell 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to 
behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  hia 


tiii:  house  OF  the  lord.  223 

temple,''  Pea.  xxvii.  1.  And  of  the  latter  we  find  our 
blessed  Saviour  thus  informing  his  disciples,  "  In  my 
Father's  house  are  many  mansions  :  if  it  were  d 
1  would  have  told  you.  I  go  to  prepare  a  placeforyou. 
Ami  if  I  go  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come 
again,  and  receive  you  unto  myself;  that  where  lain, 
there  ye  may  be  also,"  John  xiv.  2,  3. 

The  house  of  the  Lord  on  earth  formed  the  imme- 
diate object  of  David's  regard  in  the  words  before  us. 
In  his  early  days  the  Ark  and  the  Tabernacle, alas 
w.'ie  separated  from  »-acb  other.     The  latter  was  erect 
ed  at  Nob.  and  the  former  rested  at  Kirjath-baal.     The 
royal  palace  of  Saul  atGibeah  stood  w  ithin  a  few  hours' 
journey  of  both  places.     And  therefore  David,  as  a  res- 
ident there,  could  more  frequently  enjoy  the  delightful 
services  of  the  sanctuary,  than  when  an  inmate  oi'  his 
father's  house  at  Bethlehem.    And  the  testimony  of  the 
High   Priest  informs  us  thai  David  neglected  not  his 
spiritual  privileges,  bul  often  resorted  to  ili<-  Tabernacle 
to  inquire  of  the  Lord,  and  to  pour  out  his  heart  in 
prayers  and  adoration,  I  Sam.  wii.  15. 

To  tin-  Psalmist,  ami  all  the  children  of  Israel,  -  the 
bouse  of  the  Lord'"  was  indeed  the  dwelling  place  of 
the  Most  High  God.     The  cloud  of  his  presence  had 
covered  their    Tabernacle,  and  the  brightness  ^(  his 
glor)  had  shone  within  their  Sanctuary.     All  Col's 
dealings  with  mm,  and  all  their  intercourse  with  him. 
were  then  closelj    connected  with  "the  house  of  the 
Lord."'     There  did  he  Bpeak  with  Moses  and  Aaron 
from  oil' th.-  mercy  seat:  and  there  did  the  High  I 
in  later  times  divine  by  Urim  and  Thummim,  receh  ing 
intimations  of  the  Divine  will  on  the  illuminated  letters 
,,f  his  golden  hrra.~ii.latc.     In  the  Tahernacle  of  old 
the  Lord  had  recorded  his  nam.-,  and  their  he  came 


224  the  housj:  of  the  lord. 

unto  his  people,  and  there  he  blessed  them.  Here  the 
annual  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  nation  was  offered 
unto  the  Most  High  God.  And  here  alone  could  sacrifices 
of  expiation  be  made  by  the  guilty  transgressor  or  the 
ceremonially  defiled.  The  trembling  suppliant  here 
obtained  comfort  from  his  sorrows,  deliverance  from  hia 
doubts,  and  victory  over  the  fear  of  death.  Here 
answers  to  prayer  were  graciously  vouchsafed,  and  the 
humble  believer  was  constrained  to  exclaim,  ':  This  is 
none  other  but  the  house  of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate 
of  heaven  !" 

The  church  is  the  house  of  Jehovah's  choice.  He 
hath  desired  it  for  his  habitation.  "  This  is  my  rest 
for  ever,  and  here  will  I  dwell,"  Psa.  cxxxii.  14.  By 
his  wisdom  the  church  has  been  framed  :  and  with  his 
grace  it  is  richly  stored.  It  is  the  temple  of  truth,  and 
the  palace  of  peace.  It  is  the  vestibule  of  heaven,  and 
the  sanctuary  of  safety  to  the  soul.  The  church  of 
God  is  built  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and  the  gates  of 
hell  shall  never  prevail  against  it.  Her  walls  are  call- 
ed Salvation  :  and  all  her  gates  Praise.  Her  place  of 
defence  is  the  munition  of  rocks.  Bread  shall  be  given 
her.  The  water  of  the  Spirit  shall  be  sure.  The 
church  of  Christ  is  as  the  garden  of  Eden,  and  the 
whole  earth  like  to  a  wilderness  around  it.  The  voice 
of  the  Lord  God  is  heard  as  he  walks  therein,  and  his 
gracious  presence  is  manifested  there  to  his  believing 
people.  The  church  is  a  spiritual  temple  erected  on 
the  ruins  of  this  fallen  world.  Glorious  are  the  names 
and  titles  applied  to  it  in  the  sacred  Scriptures.  It  is 
called  the  city  of  God,  Heb.  xii.  22.  The  heavenly 
Jerusalem  ;  Jerusalem  which  is  from  above,  which  is 
the  mother  of  us  all,  Gal.  iv.  26.  A  garden  enclosed, 
Cant.  iv.  12.     The  fold  of  the  good  Shepherd,  John 


THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  225 

x.  16.  The  bride  and  spouse  of  Christ,  <  'ant.  iv.  8; 
2  <  lor.  \i.  2  ;  Rev.  \\i.  9.  The  body  of  <  Shrist,  Eph. 
i.  22,  23 ;  Col.  i.  IS.  The  house  of  God,  which  is  the 
church  of  (he  living  God,  the  pillar  and  ground  of  the 
truth,  1  Tim.  iii.  15. 

The  church  of  Christ  is  the  "congregation  of  faith- 
ful men.'1  living  in  all  ages,  and  scattered  throughout 
the  whole  world.  "  Whose  house  are  we.  if  we  hold 
fasl  the  confidence,  ami  the  rejoicing  of  the  hope  linn 
unto  the  end/'  Ileb.  iii.  6.  Great  is  the  blessedness 
we  thus  enjoy,  and  honourable  the  titles  we  possess. 
"  Ye  are  no  more  strangers  and  foreigners,"  says  the 
Apostle,  '-but  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of 
the  household  of  God,"  Eph.  ii.  19.  As  living  stones, 
all  true  believers  arc  built  uj)  a  spiritual  house,  an  holy 
priesthood,  to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to 
Cod  by  Jesus  Christ.  They  constitute  a  chosen  gen 
eration,  a  royal  priesthood,  an  holy  nation,  a  peculiar 
and  purchased  people,  1  Pet.  ii.  5,9*  They  an;  main 
festlj  declared  to  be  epistles  of  Christ,  written  with  the 
Spirit  of  the  living  God,  2  Cor.  iii.  3.  The  Saviour 
regards  them  as  the  lambs  of  his  dock,  and  the  sheep 
of  his  fold.  John  xxi.  15,  1<*>.  He  denominates  them 
the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  the  lights  of  the  world.  Matt 
v.  L3,  1  1.  They  shall  be  pillars  in  his  temple,  Rev. 
iii.  12.  and  a  peculiar  treasure  in  his  estimation,  Psa. 
cwxv.  4, — jewels  in  his  crown.  Mai.  iii.  17.  and  a 
royal  diadem  in  his  hand,  Isa.  lxii.  3.  Henceforth 
they  are  to  be  called  not  only  servants  and  disciples, 
but  the  friends  of  their  Saviour,  John  xv.  15,  and  the 
brethren  of  their  lord.  Matt.  \ iii.  21.  From  being 
slaves  of  the  world,  he  bus  made  them  his  own  free 
men,  1  Cor.  \  ii.  22.  and  citizens  of  heaven,  Phil.  iii. 
20;  yea  also  kings  and  priests  unto  God,  Rev.  i.  6. 


226  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

What  shall  we  more  say  of  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion of  the  saints  ?  Psa.  Ixxxix.  5.  Are  they  not  the 
sons  of  the  living  God  ?  Hos.  i.  10,  and  dear  children 
in  his  sight?  Eph.  v.  1.  Are  they  not  heirs  of  God. 
and  joint-heirs  with  Christ  Jesus?  Rom.  viii.  17.  Are 
they  not  members  of  Christ's  body  ?  Eph.  v.  30,  par- 
takers of  the  Divine  nature  ?  2  Pet.  i.  14,  and  one 
with  God  for  ever  and  ever?  John  xvii.  21.  Blessed 
is  he  that  readeth,  and  they  that  hear  these  words,  if 
they  be  numbered  among  the  righteous,  and  can  say 
with  David  each  one  for  himself,  "  I  will  dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  for  ever !" 

The  church  of  God  on  earth  is  a  lovely  picture  to 
us  of  heaven  above.  Here  all  meet  together,  the  rich 
and  the  poor,  the  young  and  the  old,  male  and  female, 
bond  and  free.  The  various  distinctions  of  life  are 
laid  aside  for  a  time,  and  all  ranks  and  conditions 
of  men  are  united  in  God's  presence  as  members  of 
one  happy  family.  They  worship  the  same  Father. 
They  trust  in  the  same  Saviour.  They  enjoy  com- 
munion with  the  same  Spirit.  As  with  one  heart, 
and  with  one  voice,  they  join  in  the  same  petitions, 
and  offer  up  the  same  sacrifices  of  praise.  Out  hearts 
arc  gladdened  and  our  faith  is  revived  by  christian  fel- 
lowship. Thus  to  the  true  Christian  the  services  of 
God's  house  are  not  empty  and  lifeless  ceremonies. 
He  had  prepared  his  heart  in  his  private  closet  for  ap- 
proaching God  in  the  public  congregation.  He  enters 
the  house  of  the  Lord  not  merely  to  meet  with  his 
fellow-men,  but  with  the  ever-present  Saviour,  and  the 
all-quickening  Spirit,  that  his  soul  may  be  established 
in  grace,  and  advanced  in  holiness. 

"Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,"  O 
Lord,  "and  causest  to  approacl    unto  thee,  that  lie 


TIIK    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  S27 

may  dwell  in  thy  courts.  ^ re  shall  be  satisfied  with 
the  goodness  of  thy  house,,  even  of  thy  holy  temple," 
Psa.  Lev.  4.  How  elevating  and  enlivening  to  the 
soul  to  "join  with  the  multitude  that  keep  holy-day," 
and  to  present  our  common  supplications  as  with  one 
heart  and  voice  before  the  throne  of  God  !  By  divine 
grace  we  are  enabled  to  "  call  the  Babbath  a  delight, 
the  holy  of  the  Lord,  and  honourable."  And  when 
'we  honour  him,  not  doing  our  own  ways,  nor  find- 
ing our  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  our  own  word-. 
then,  indeed,  we  delight  ourselves  in  the  Lord,  and  are 
fed  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob,"  Isa.  hiii.  13.  The 
Babbath  is  to  the  believer  both  a  foretaste  and  a  pledge 
of  his  heavenly  rest — the  never-ending  Babbath  of 
eternity.  --This  is  the  day  which  tin-  Lord  hath 
made.  We  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  it."  We 
remember  the  Babbath  to  keep  it  holy,  and  earnestly 
desire  to  be  "  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day."  \\  iib 
the  departing  week  we  lay  aside  our  earthly  cares,  and 
with  the  opening  day  we  begin  the  blesi  employment 
of  heaven.  Oh  it  is  delightful  to  meet  with  our  fel- 
low-worshippers in  the  sanctuary  of  God !  "1  w;is 
glad  when  they  Baid  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord."  Here  we  meet  our  watchful 
Shepherd  in  his  spiritual  fold.  Here,  too,  we  are  re- 
ceived by  our  royal  Host,  and  are  each  enabled  to 
tify,  "The  King  hath  brought  me  into  his  banquet- 
ing house,  and  Ids  banner  over  me  is  love."  "  V\ 
down  under  his  sh;ulow  with  greal  delight,  and  his 
fruit  is  sweet  to  our  taste,"  Cant  ii.  •!.  L 

Oh  what  a  refreshing  shadow  and  shelter  i-  the 
church  of  God  in  an   oppressive  world!     Wee* 
from  the  burning  sands  and  the  fiery  atmosphere  of 
the  deserl  ^(  sin.  and   breathe   the  fresh  and  fragrant 


228  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

air  of  heaven.  Here  the  drooping  hearts  are  cheered, 
the  fainting  are  revived,  and  the  wounded  in  spirit  are 
healed.  Here  the  troubled  conscience  is  relieved,  the 
unholy  are  sanctified,  and  the  feeble  have  their  strength 
renewed.  "  Times  of  refreshing"  are  experienced 
':  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord/'  He  pours  rich  bless 
ings  from  on  high  on  all  who  worship  him  in  spirit 
and  in  truth ;  and  shows  them  most  gracious  tokens 
of  his  love. 

Oh  what  liberty  of  access  unto  God  does  the  be- 
liever enjoy  !  He  draws  near  with  a  true  heart,  as  a 
child  unto  a  Father,  to  confess  all  his  sins  before  Him 
in  assurance  of  forgiveness — to  tell  Him  all  his  wants, 
believing  that  they  shall  be  supplied — to  unbosom  to 
Him  all  his  sorrows,  knowing  that  He  will  tenderly 
sympathize — and  to  express  to  Him  all  his  joys,  con- 
fident that  He  who  gave  them  will  rejoice  with  him  ! 
In  the  midst  of  earthly  distresses,  the  believer  is  com- 
forted in  the  house  of  the  Lord  by  the  unchanging 
love  of  his  Redeemer.  In  difficulties,  he  finds  gui- 
dance in  his  unerring  wisdom.  In  dangers,  he  has  a 
sure  refuge  in  his  almighty  power.  And  in  doubts  and 
darkness  and  death,  he  here  learns  to  repose  on  the 
truth  and  faithfulness  of  Him,  who  has  promised  never 
to  leave  nor  to  forsake  his  people  ! 

How  often  has  the  mourning  Christian  obtained 
consolation  in  the  house  of  God  !  How  often  has  the 
distressed  or  the  perplexed  believer  found  the  offering 
up  of  prayers  suitable  to  his  case,  and  relieving  to  his 
heart !  The  youthful  inquirer  after  salvation  has 
been  here  instructed  and  encouraged  in  the  way  of 
holiness  !  Those  who  have  been  suffering  under 
temptations  have  been  delivered  from  their  power  ! 
Thus  the  house  of  God  is  a  house  of  peace,  of  instruc- 


THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  22'j 

tion,  and  of  consolation  to  the  true  Christian.  The 
sabbath  is  not  a  day  of  gloom  and  weariness  to  him. 
lli<  ■•  feel  stand  within  the  courts  of  the  Lord,"  and 
his  heart  is  "made  joyfu. in  his  house  of  prayer."  He 
hastens  nol  as  though  glad  to  be  dismissed,  but  would 
rather  linger  where  God  is  worshipped.  When  he  re 
turns  !«•  his  abode  he  gives  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  the 
privileges  he  has  enjoyed.  His  heart  is  filled  with 
gratitude  at  the  thought  thai  God  has  graciously  ac- 
cepted his  confessions,  and  supplications,  his  praises, 
and  intercessions.  He  trusts  and  prays  that  the  bless- 
ings vouchsafed  may  never  be  lost  upon  his  soul;  and 
that  he  may  continually  become  more  humble  on  ac- 
count of  sin;  more  watchful  over  his  besetting  infir- 
mities: more  alive  with  love  to  God;  more  anxious 
to  do  good  to  men  ;  and  more  determined  to  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour  in  all  things  ! 

The  house  of  the  Lord  on  earth,  though  immediately 
desired,  did  not  form  the  grand  and  ultimate  object  of 
David's  regard  in  the  words  before  us.  He  looked  be- 
yond the  narrow  scene  of  this  present  world,  and  fixed 
lii-  eye  on  the  ■•  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens."  Here  all  his  desires  terminated.  In 
this  all  his  privileges  centred.  Therefore  he  joyfully 
exclaimed,  "  \nd  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  I  <ord 
for  ever." 

When  the  believe!   has  bid  farewell  to  tin*  house  ol 

(iod    -his  spiritual  home  and  friend-,  below  :      be  finds 

another  home,  ami  other  friends,  waiting  to  receive  him 
above.  The  departed  sainl  attains  the  summit  of 
Mount  Zion.  and  enters  the  city  of  the  li\  ing  <  iod,  the 
heavenly  Jerusalem.  He  joins  the  innumerable  com 
pany  of  angels,  and  the  general  assen  bly  and  church 
of  the  first-born    which   are  written  m  heaven.     He 


B30  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

ppears  in  peace  before  God  the  Judge  of  all ;  and 
!orms  an  everlasting  fellowship  with  the  spirits  of  the 
just  made  perfect.  He  comes  near  to  Jesus,  the  Medi- 
tor  of  the  new  covenant,  and  finds  that  the  blood  of 
prinking  has  spoken  better  things  for  him  than  did  the 
»lood  of  Abel  for  the  unrighteous  Cain  !  Oh  what  a 
essed  exchange  from  the  church  on  earth  to  the 
hurch  in  heaven  !     Goodness  and  mercy  had  followed 

n  through  life,  and  now  goodness  and  mercy  sur- 
ound  him  on  every  side.  Who  shall  describe  the 
xtatic  emotions  of  his  soul — his  astonishment,  his  joy, 
lis  transport,  at  his  entrance  there  ?  With  what  de- 
ight  will  he  congratulate  bimself  on  his  safe  arrival 
in  the  abodes  of  bliss !  What  satisfaction  will  he  feel 
with  all  that  he  beholds,  and  meets,  and  hears  !  With 
what  grateful  adorations  will  he  worship  that  faithful 
God  who  has  exceeded  all  his  promises,  and  surpassed 
his  own  highest  expectations  !  Oh  who  can  conceive 
the  rapture  of  joy  and  of  gratitude  with  which  he  will 
join  the  song  of  his  redeemed  brethren  !  ';  Unto  him 
that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own 
blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God 
and  his  Father,  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen." 

During  the  period  of  his  abode  on  earth  he  painfully 
experienced  that  the  flesh  warred  against  the  spirit ; 
and  that  amid  the  highest  attainments  in  grace  and 
converse  with  God,  his  soul  was  not  completely  holy 
and  constant,  not  entirely  free  from  various  tempera 
and  wanderings.  Often  with  strong  crying  and  tears 
uad  he  prayed  for  the  pardon  of  all  his  sins,  and  the 
cleansing  of  his  deepest  stains.  Many  a  time  had  he 
iesired  to  love  his  Lord  with  all  his  heart,  and  soul 
aid  stiength,  and  mind.     Earnestly  had  he  sighed  foi 


Tin:   BOUSE  of  tiir  lord.  231 

♦rue  humility  of  spirit,  godly  Borrow  for  sin,  and  entire 
purity  of  thought  and  feeling.     \\  ith  intense  longing 
after  growth  in  grace  he  had  Baid  again  and  again,  "  I 
want  more  faith  and  love  ;  more  contentment  and  res- 
ignation; more  patience  and  meekness;  more  know- 
Ledge;  more  zeal  and  courage;  more  hope;  more  joy; 
inure  freedom  from  the  dulness  and  deadness  of  mj  na- 
ture :  and  more  gratitude  for  my  innumerable  mercies  '. 
The  friendly  hand  of  death,  however,  has  now  de- 
livered him  from  every  carnal  clog  and   earthliness, 
and  set  him  free  to  lake  his  place  amongst  "the  spirits 
of  the  just  made  perfect,"  I  Feb.  xii.  23.    The  departed 
believer  has  lie. ■..me  a  pure  and  perfecl  Bpirit     The 
burst   and  broken  chrysalis  of  his   mortal  body  has 
been  lefl  on  earth  to  moulder  into  dust.     No  longer 
clogged  by  the  material  frame,  he  thinks,  and  speaks, 
and  acts  after  the  manner  of  angels.    I  In  soul  is  made 
perfecl  in  all  it-  powers  and  faculties.     It-  perception 
clear,  its  judgment  sound,  its  love  ardent,  ii-  gratitude 
intense.     All   it-  impressions  are    holy,  it-  affections 
pure,  its  emotions  sanctified,  its  thoughts  and  aspira- 
tions heavenly  and  divine.     He  i<  now  in  actual  pos- 
session <>!'  a  perfected  spiritual  nature,  and  i-  as  capable 
of  enjoyment,  activity,  and  privilegej  as  are  angels  and 
archangels,  th<>-<>  pur.'  spirits  that  surround  tie1  throne. 
He  is  now  perfecl  in  love,  perfect  in  peace,  perfect  in 
holiness,  perfect  in  thought  and  apprehension,  perfect 
in  feeling  and  imagination,  perfect  in  judgment  and 
conscience,  perfect  in  knowledge  and  in  filial  obedience 
t,»  all  the  holy  u  ill  of  hi-  heavenly  Father  !     The  de- 
parted saint,  thus   perfected  in  spiritual  energy,  will 
never  weary  in  the  everlasting  employment  ot  praising 
God.     He  will  offer  unto  him  a  perfect  Bervice 
rect  in  the  motives  and  affection*   <>(  the  worshipper  - 


232  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

perfect  in  the  purity  and  fervency  of  the  worship-  . 
and  perfect  in  its  uninterrupted  and  everlasting  con- 
tinuance. No  reflected  light  of  Urim  and  Thuramiin 
now  intervenes  between  the  worshipper  and  hie  God. 
He  enjoys  the  beatific  vision,  and  all  ordinances,  min- 
isters, and  sacraments  are  laid  aside  at  once  and  for 
ever.  His  intercourse  with  the  Most  'High  is  visible 
and  audible,  direct  and  personal.  It  both  occupies  and 
enlarges  his  faculties,  calls  forth  and  increases  all  his 
energies,  and  enlivens  and  refines  his  dispositions.  No 
temptations  will  distract  him  now.  No  wanderings  of 
thought  will  disturb  the  harmony  of  his  communion 
with  the  Lord.  He  has  now  no  shortcomings  in  duty 
or  affection — no  defects  of  intellect  or  energy — no 
weakness  of  memory — and  no  waywardness  of  will. 
He  envies  not  those  saints  and  angels  who  are  supe- 
rior to  himself,  and  he  looks  not  with  disdain  on  any 
who  are  inferior.  Neither  pride  nor  selfishness  now 
lurk  within  him.  No  impatience  or  murmuring,  no 
hastiness  of  temper,  or  ebullitions  of  wrath,  can  now 
break  forth.  He  will  never  again  be  actuated  by  a 
double  purpose,  or  an  unworthy  motive.  No  disorder- 
ed thoughts  or  discordant  feelings  torment  him  now. 
Lip  service  and  formality  have  ceased.  Lukewarm- 
ness  and  indifference  are  fled  for  ever.  No  divisions 
exist.  No  contentions  arise.  No  party -spirit  agitates. 
No  cares  or  anxieties  are  felt — no  fears  and  no  per- 
plexities, no  doubts,  no  disappointments,  no  unholy 
suggestions  from  within  or  from  without.  Nothing 
now  appears  dark,  nothing  mysterious,  and  nothing 
contradictory,  in  the  works,  and  ways,  and  words  of 
God.  All  is  light,  and  joy,  and  purity,  within  nun 
and  around  him.  Love  is  now  his  life,  and  praise  the 
very  element  in  which    he    breathes.     He    enjoys  a 


THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  233 

state  of  spiritual  glory  Buch  as  eye  hath  not  seen,  ear 
hath  not  heard,  and  which  it  hath  not  entered  into 
the  human  heart  to  conceive.  He  beholds  the  lace  of 
God  in  unveiled  glory.  He  is  fully  and  for  ever  freed 
from  all  sin  and  from  all  misery.  The  pun-  desires 
of  his  heart  are  now  gratified,  his  holy  hopes  fulfilled, 
and  the  prayers  of  his  faith  all  answered.  Prayer 
itsell  has  now  given  place  to  praise,  and  no  room 
remains  for  any  more  petitions,  lie  now  believes 
God  fully,  fears  him  reverentially,  follows  him  con- 
stantly, lie  now  serves  him  faithfully,  magnifies 
him  worthily,  rejoices  in  him  supremely,  and  loves 
him  perfectly  ! 

The  soul  is  now  a  perfected  spirit,  in  a  perfect  state, 
and  within  a  perfect  place.  It  can  do  no  wrong.  ]t 
can  Bee  no  iniquity.  It  can  hear  no  evil.  Jt  can  re- 
ceive no  spiritual  hurt.  Into  the  house  of  the  Lord 
"there  -hall  in  no  wise  enter  anything  that  defileth." 
Heaven  i-  the  residence  of  the  Great  King.  The 
house  of  the  Jehovah  of  hosts  is  a  palace  of  perfection. 

It  is  a  glorious  house  of  purity  and  peace.     Jt  is  a  most 

capacious  temple,  boundless  in  extent,  and  dazzling 
with  the  splendour  of  uncreated  light  li-  courts  are 
filled  with  worshipping  inhabitants,  and  resound  with 
the  everlasting  songs  of  the  thousands  of  its  redeemed, 
and  the  myriads  of  its  angels.  There  tin-  adorable 
Redeemer  is  Been  in  Ins  human  form.  There  too  are 
Enoch  and  Elijah  in  their  spiritual  bodies.  'There  live 
the  souls  of  our  Christian  friends  whole/)  the  earth 
before  us.  There  are  gathered  the  spirits  of  all  the 
just,  rejoicing  in  their  unspotted  purity,  and  glowing 
with  the  most  intense  happiness  and  joy.  Jesu 
cupies  their  thoughts,  form-  the  theme  of  their  eon- 
verse,  and  the  object  of  their  adoration.  Their  heaitl 
20* 


234  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

burn  within  them  while  he  unfolds  the  things  he  had 
suffered,  and  the  glory  he  has  entered.  They  expe- 
rience an  ineffable  delight  in  his  service;  they  feel 
a  childlike  confidence  and  gladness  in  his  presence ; 
and  they  praise  him  in  high  and  holy  and  seraphic 
strains ! 

Oh  how  imperfect  are  our  highest  conceptions  of  the 
beauty  and  the  blessedness,  the  purity  and  the  per- 
fection, of  the  house  of  the  Lord  !  To  know  it  aright 
we  must  be  caught  up  like  St.  Paul  into  the  "  third 
heavens."  Little  is  revealed  to  us  in  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures of  the  separate  state.  And  great  undoubtedly 
as  are  the  happiness  and  the  glory  which  the  departed 
saint  enjoys  in  that  purely  spiritual  condition,  we  know 
that  another  state  of  being  awaits  him, — a  state  of  still 
higher  happiness  and  glory.  The  empty,  broken, 
chrysalis  of  mortality  is  to  be  raised  out  of  the  dust, 
no  longer  a  natural  and  corruptible  frame,  but  a 
spiritual  and  immortal  body.  "There  is  a  natural 
body,  and  there  is  a  spiritual  body,"  1  Cor.  xv.  44. 
Gathered  from  the  dust  of  the  grave  by  the  hand 
of  the  Framer  of  the  new  creation,  as  are  the  grains 
of  sand  from  the  sea  shore  by  the  hands  of  the  arti- 
ficer, it  shall  be  made  a  pure  and  crystal  vessel 
meet  for  the  reception  of  his  pure  and  holy  spirit. 
Oh  what  joy  shall  pervade  the  house  of  the  Lord 
in  (he  resurrection  morning,  when  the  saints  shall 
be  made  perfect  in  soul  and  body — be  delivered  from 
the  bondage  of  corruption — and  be  introduced  into  the 
glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God  !    Rom.  viii.  21. 

At  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  our  Sa- 
viour, there  shall  be  joy  unequalled  in  heaven  and 
earth.  The  '-times  of  the  restitution  of  all  things" 
shall  gladden  every  holy  an.    intelligent  being      The 


THE    HOUSE    OP    THE    LOUD.  235 

jubilee  trumpet  shall  proclaim  that  "the  year  ol  !Jw 
redeemed  has  come."     Then  shall  he  a  glorious  c? 
.  such  aa  the  fiftieth  year  in  ancient  Israel  iv 

very  faintly  shadowed.  There  -hall  be  universal  lib 
erty  to  all  the  people  of  the  Lord.  The  bond  slavn 
of  corruption  shall  he  emancipated  without,  ransom 
The  debtor  by  sin  shall  he  set  free.  'The  prison  house 
of  the  grave  shall  be  thrown  open.  The  property  of 
this  world  shall  he  restored  to  its  original  Owner  in 
full  possession.  Then-  shall  he  one  continued  season 
of  social  peace  and  harmony  and  joy  ;  of  brotherhood 
and  happiness  and  prosperity.  All  the  people  as  of 
old  shall  he  arrayed  in  white  and  shining  garments; 
they  shall  wave  the  palm,  and  they  shall  wear  the 
crown. 

The  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise   first,  the  living  saints 

shall  be  changed  into  the  likeness  of  their  Lord :  and 
both  in  one  blessed  company  shall  he  caughl  up  to 
meet  their  glorious  Redeemer.  Tin-  mighty  working 
which  is  able  to  Bubdue  all  things,  shall  change  their 
vile  bodies  and  make  them  like  unto  the  glorious  body 
of  Christ,  incorruptible,  powerful,  spiritual,  and  heav- 
enl\  !  In  both  natures  the  redeemed  saints  shall  now 
he  the  entire  and  perfected  possession  of  their  Lord. 
They  shall  he  completely  delivered  from  tin-  eui-e  of 
(lie  law.  the  bondage  of  the  flesh,  and  the  tyranny  o( 

Satan.  Every  evil  and  every  enemy  shall  he  |iut  un- 
der their  feet  Their  names  shall  be  confessed  before 
the  assembled  angels:  and  they  shall  he  placed  in  lull 
possession  of  their  everlasting  inheritance.     In  body 

as  well   as   in   spirit    they  shall   dwell  in  the    hou 
the  Lord,  and  surround  the  throne  of  the  Lamh  ! 

The  "pilgrims"  have  now  reached  their  rest,  and 
the  "strangers"  have  entered  their  home.     The  "good 


236  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

and  faithful  servants"  have  "well  done"  their  work, 
and  are  called  into  their  "  Master's  joy."  The  runners 
of  the  "race"  have  "finished  their  course,"  and  have 
gained  "  the  prize  of  their  high  calling."  The  wrest- 
lers in  prayer  have  "  prevailed  with  God,"  and  have 
obtained  a  "  princely  name."  The  soldiers  of  Christ 
have  "fought  the  good  fight  of  faith  :"  they  have  se- 
cured the  victory,  and  they  have  received  the  "  crown 
of  righteousness."  The  "  little  flock"  now  "  fear  not," 
for  they  see  it  was  their  "Father's  good  pleasure  to 
give  them  the  kingdom."  The  "  poor"  now  find 
"  treasure  in  heaven" — -an  "  inheritance  in  light" — 
"  fulness  of  joy" — and  "  an  eternal  weight  of  glory." 
All  doubts  of  their  acceptance  are  for  ever  fled.  Faith 
has  now  given  place  to  sight ;  and  hope  to  fruition. 
They  know  that  they  are  now  within  the  everlasting 
"  mansion."  They  perceive  that  He  who  went  before 
has  indeed  "  prepared  a  place"  therein  for  each  of  them. 
They  feel  that  they  are  safe  within  their  Shepherd's 
fold.  They  hear  themselves  welcomed  at  the  table 
which  their  gracious  Host  has  prepared  before  them. 
They  "  behold  the  King  in  his  beauty."  They  live 
in  the  enjoyment  of  his  love.  God  himself  wipes 
away  every  tear  from  their  eyes,  and  leaves  not  a  single 
cause  of  sorrow  to  trouble  them  afresh.  They  partake 
of  the  most  pure  and  satisfying  happiness-  unmeasur- 
ed, inestimable,  and  everlasting!  The  Lord  God  Al 
mighty  and  the  Lamb  are  their  unfading  Portion,  their 
ever-open  Temple,  their  everlasting  Light,  and  their 
eternal  Glory  !  They  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
and  are  for  ever  encompassed  with  blessedness,  because 
they  are  for  ever  encompassed  with  God  ! 

Oh  great  and  glorious  home  !  may  not  every  Chris- 
tian say  1     Oh   everlasting   habitation    of  the  Lord's 


THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  237 

redeemed!  :;Mysoul  longeth,  yea  even  fainteth  for 
thy  courts;  my  heart  and  my  tieah  crieth  out  for  the 
living  God!"  With  the  holy  Psalmist  I  would  Bum 
up  all  my  blessedness  in  this  one  declaration,  "  \nd  1 
will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever!"  Here. 
every  holy  desire  shall  lie  fulfilled — our  joys  shall  be 
multiplied — and  our  privileges  secured,  for  time  and 
for  eternity!  Is  this,  0  Christian  Reader,  the  desire 
and  the  determination  which  thou  hast  formed  .'  Do 
the  goodness  and  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  towards  thee, 
constrain  thy  heart  to  choose  his  service,  and  to  delight 
in  the  ordinances  of  his  house  ?  The  privileges  of  the 
sanctuary  of  God  are  richly  conferred  upon  thee  in  this 
favoured  land!  Art  thou  one  of  those  who  neglect 
not  the  assembling  of  themselves  together  with  their 
Christian  brethren?  Prize  this  privilege.  "Where 
two  or  three  are  gathered   together  in   the  Saviour's 

name,  there   is  lie  in   the   midst  of  them."  Matt.  wiii. 

20.  l>e  ever  ready  then  to  meet  thy  Lord  Though 
no  shekinah  of  glory  be  now  visible  in  his  temple.  \rt 
truly  '■  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God"  is  there  pres- 
ent, and  sheds  a  blessing  on  the  heart  of  every  Bincere 
worshipper.  Enter  the  house  of  the  Lord  then  with 
a  lively  faith.  Realize  his  spiritual  presence.  Ac- 
knowledge with  gratitude  his  condescension  in  there 
meeting  with  his  people.  Delight  thyself  in  his  holy 
il  iy.  and  in  the  services  of  his  sanctuary.  Earnestly 
desire  to  be  "in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord'- id  aj ."  and  to 
worship    thy    heavenly    father,  at    all    time--,   in   spirit 

and  in  truth.     Seek  for  nearness  of  communion  with 
hiin,  and  for  an  enlightened  understanding  of  his  word 
and  will      Be  Bolicitous  to  obtain  in  the  house  "f  the 
Lord  on  earth,  a  sanctified  meetness  for  the  9ei 
and   the  society  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  in  heaven 


238  THE    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD. 

Anticipate,  Oh  Christian,  the  eternal  sabbath — thy 
heavenly  home,  of  which  the  Lord's  house  and  the 
Lord's  day  on  earth  are  now  to  thee  the  type  and  tha 
foretaste,  the  prelude  and  the  pledge.  Look  forward 
eagerly,  Oh  Believer,  to  the  duties  and  the  privileges, 
the  joys  and  the  honours  that  await  thee  in  "  the  house 
of  the  Lord  for  ever  !" 

Long  after  heaven  ! — thy  God  is  present  there,  un- 
veiled in  glory — God  thy  Father — God  thy  Saviour — 
and  God  thy  everlasting  Comforter  ! 

Long  after  heaven ! — the  Lord  of  all  is  honoured 
there — his  law  obeyed — his  name  hallowed — and  his 
will  delighted  in  ! 

Long  after  heaven  ! — it  is  full  of  holiness.  Sin  has 
never  sullied  it !  No  manner  of  evil  shall  ever  pollute 
it !  All  its  inhabitants  are  pure  ;  the  angels  and  the 
redeemed  are  without  fault  before  the  throne  of  God  ! 

Long  after  heaven  ! — it  is  the  rest  that  remaineth 
for  the  people  of  God — and  it  shall  remain  to  them  as 
a  rest  for  ever  !  There  pain  and  trouble  and  weariness 
are  never  felt !  There  sin  and  Satan  and  sorrow  can- 
not enter.  And  there  peace  and  plenty  and  prosperity 
continually  abide ! 

Long  after  heaven  ! — it  is  the  paradise  of  thy  per- 
fection in  soul  and  body  !  There  shalt  thou  reach  the 
manhood  of  thy  being — regain  once  and  for  ever  the 
lost  likeness  of  thy  Creator — and  hear  again  the  voice 
of  the  Lord  God  walking  with  thee  in  the  tenderness 
of  his  amazing  love,  and  the  plenitude  of  his  everlast- 
ing friendship ! 

Long  after  heaven ! — it  is  a  glorious  home  !  It 
is  the  house  of  the  Lord,  Jehovah.  The  created  home 
of  thy  Eternal  Father — the  purchased  home  of  thy 
Elder  Brother — and  the  holv  home  of  the  Lord  the 


TIIK    HOUSE    OF    THE    LORD.  239 

Spirit  thy  Sanctifier  !  The  "  house  of  the  Lord"  is  the 
only  no  mi;  of  all  pure  and  holy  beings.  It  id  the 
safe  and  happy  hohe  of  angels,  and  of  thy  brothers 
and  Bisters  in  the  faith!  It  is  the  everlasting 
home  of  the  whole  family  of  the  redeemed  !  There 
are  they  all  gathered  together  in  safely — there  are  they 
all  joined  together  in  love — and  there  do  they  all 
u  dwell''  together  in  unity,  and  go  no  more  out  of  "  the 
hou*;  of  the  Lord  for  ever !'' 


?RS    CUD. 


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